The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has given the Federal Government an ultimatum to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. The union made this known in a communiqué issued on Sunday in Abuja after its 54th National Executive Council meeting at Ekiti State University. The communiqué was signed by SSANU National President, Muhammad Ibrahim.
The union warned that failure to conclude the renegotiation agreement might trigger an indefinite strike. They expressed concern over the slow pace of renegotiation with non-teaching unions, citing lack of clear timelines and firm commitments by government. The union called for the government to reconvene and conclude the renegotiation process in a fair, transparent, and time-bound manner.
The SSANU National President, Muhammad Ibrahim, issued a final ultimatum to the federal government from April 1 to April 30, 2026, to conclude the renegotiation process and sign the agreement. The union threatened to commence an indefinite industrial action if the government fails to meet the deadline.
The union also condemned delays in salary payments and non-payment of increments, which have worsened hardship among members. They called for the immediate payment of outstanding salaries and the adoption of a unified salary payment platform, recommending Remita. The union also raised concerns over the exclusion of some categories of workers from the N50 billion earned allowances approved in 2022.
The Federal Government's inaction on the 2009 agreement renegotiation is a stark reminder of its lack of commitment to resolving industrial disputes in the education sector. SSANU's ultimatum is a direct consequence of the government's failure to meet its obligations. The union's call for a unified salary payment platform and the inclusion of all eligible staff in the earned allowances is a reasonable demand that the government must address. The impact of this inaction will be felt by Nigerian university students and staff, who will bear the brunt of the government's inaction. The government must take immediate action to address the issues raised by SSANU to prevent an indefinite strike.
