The federal government has released eight months’ salary arrears owed members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), averting a planned strike by the union.
Gatekeepers News reports that SANU had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government, demanding immediate payment of outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement.
The union had warned that failure to meet its demands within the stipulated period would trigger a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” without further notice.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU president, commended the federal government for responding promptly to the union’s demand.
He said the release of the funds would help sustain industrial harmony in the nation’s universities.
Ibrahim also praised Tunji Alausa, minister of education, for his intervention and efforts to secure the payment of the arrears.
According to him, the development showed that constructive engagement between the government and university-based unions could produce positive outcomes when followed by prompt action.
“This is a demonstration that constructive engagement, when matched with prompt action, can protect industrial harmony and workers’ welfare,” Ibrahim said.
He urged SSANU members across the country to work with their respective university managements to ensure the released funds were paid promptly and judiciously.
The union president also directed members to report any shortfall or irregularity in the payment to SSANU for appropriate action.
While welcoming the release of the eight-month arrears, Ibrahim said the government still owed members two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action, as well as one-year arrears resulting from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.
“These are legitimate entitlements of our members and should not be subjected to further delay,” he said.
Ibrahim called on the federal government to maintain its responsive approach to implementing agreements reached with university-based unions and settling outstanding entitlements.
He similarly urged state governments and governing councils of state-owned universities to ensure the full and properly funded implementation of agreements reached with university unions.
He warned that selective or delayed implementation could create fresh tensions and undermine industrial harmony across the university system.
Ibrahim reaffirmed SSANU’s commitment to constructive engagement and industrial peace, but said the union would continue to use lawful means to protect the rights and welfare of its members.
He said the release of the arrears had reinforced confidence that constructive engagement could produce tangible results for workers, students and the wider Nigerian university system.
