The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to address unresolved issues affecting non-academic staff in universities.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a joint letter dated September 12, 2025, the unions decried the “unjust” disbursement of N50 billion earned allowances, the non-payment of withheld salaries, and delays in implementing salary increments.
The letter, signed by SSANU President, Muhammed Ibrahim, and NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, recalled a June 18 communication from the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the two unions to Education Minister, Tunji Alausa, highlighting outstanding labour concerns.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the issues raised in the letter centred on: unjust disbursement of N50 billion earned allowances; non-payment of outstanding withheld salaries and 25/35% salary increments; and renegotiation of the 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU agreements,” the unions said.
The unions noted that following the June petition, the Minister convened a meeting on July 4, 2025, where it was agreed that a Tripartite Committee involving the Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, and the JAC would be formed to address the grievances.
However, the unions accused the government of failing to follow through.
“Despite our repeated efforts to draw your attention to concerns affecting our members in the universities and inter-university centres, there appears to be nothing positive forthcoming from your office,” the statement read.
They further alleged that while the government had concluded renegotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), it had sidelined non-teaching staff.
“The Federal Government Team has already concluded renegotiation with our counterpart, the Academic Staff Union, and is at the verge of signing an agreement, while refusing to engage the non-teaching staff unions despite our compliance,” the unions stated.
SSANU and NASU warned that failure to resolve the issues within seven days from September 15, 2025, would compel them to embark on “a series of legitimate industrial actions, including strikes, to press home their demands.”
