The Federal Government has released eight months’ salary arrears owed members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), averting an imminent industrial action by the non-academic university workers.
The development came less than 48 hours after SSANU threatened to commence an indefinite strike over what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to fully implement the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement.
SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, confirmed the payment on Wednesday and commended the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, for intervening to facilitate the release of the funds.
Ibrahim said the intervention had helped prevent a disruption to academic and administrative activities in the nation’s universities.
The union had, following its 56th National Executive Council meeting at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address its outstanding financial obligations to members.
Among its demands was the release of outstanding Consolidated University Non-Academic Salary Structure (CONTISS) arrears effective from January 1, 2026.
SSANU had warned that failure to meet its demands within the stipulated period would lead to a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” without further notice.
The ultimatum also covered two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action, as well as one-year arrears resulting from the implementation of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.
Confirming the latest development, Ibrahim said the payment demonstrated that constructive engagement between the government and organised labour could help sustain industrial harmony and safeguard workers’ welfare.
He particularly praised Alausa for what he described as a proactive intervention and for fulfilling his commitment to facilitate the release of the funds.
The SSANU president, however, urged members to liaise with the managements of their respective universities to ensure that the released funds were paid promptly and appropriately.
He also directed members to report any discrepancies or shortfalls in payment to the union for necessary action.
According to SSANU, Alausa had contacted its national president before the ultimatum was issued to confirm that the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation were already processing the funds.
Despite welcoming the release of the eight months’ arrears, the union stressed that other outstanding financial obligations remained unresolved.
SSANU maintained that the Federal Government must still pay the two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 strike, as well as the one-year arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.
The union also called on state governments and governing councils of state-owned universities to ensure the full and adequately funded implementation of the agreement.
It warned that selective, partial or delayed implementation of the agreement could lead to further tension and industrial unrest across the university system.
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and industrial peace, SSANU said it remained prepared to use all lawful means available to protect the rights and welfare of its members where agreements were not fully and faithfully implemented.
