The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has accused the Federal Government of persistent neglect, broken promises, and a deliberate disregard for agreements reached with the union, warning that the development risks plunging the university system into yet another avoidable industrial crisis. The union’s National Executive Council (NEC), which held its 52nd meeting at …
SSANU Accuses FG of Neglect, Breach of Agreements
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has accused the Federal Government of persistent neglect, broken promises, and a deliberate disregard for agreements reached with the union, warning that the development risks plunging the university system into yet another avoidable industrial crisis.
The union’s National Executive Council (NEC), which held its 52nd meeting at Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, issued the warning in a communiqué signed by its National President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim. SSANU said government inaction on critical issues had left members with no choice but to consider strike action if the two-week extension granted by the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU expires without compliance.
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Unresolved 2009 Agreement and Withheld Salaries
At the heart of the dispute is the federal government’s failure to renegotiate and implement the 2009 FG/SSANU agreement. The silence of the renegotiation committee, SSANU said, amounts to “a betrayal of trust”.
Equally contentious is the non-payment of two months’ withheld salaries for members who participated in the 2022 nationwide strike. The union condemned the action as punitive and provocative, urging the government to release the outstanding pay as a demonstration of good faith. It also accused authorities of failing to remit pension deductions already taken from previously paid arrears, describing the delay as “an attack on members’ retirement security”.
Earned Allowances Dispute
SSANU further faulted what it called discriminatory allocation of earned allowances. Out of a ₦50 billion fund, only ₦10 billion was released to the three non-teaching unions, while the bulk went to teaching staff. The union described the practice as unjust and demanded the immediate release of the outstanding ₦40 billion in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the government.
Wider National Concerns
Beyond university affairs, the NEC painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s state of affairs, citing widespread insecurity, collapsing infrastructure, worsening poverty, and inadequate healthcare. It listed the cholera outbreak in Zamfara, the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment, frequent kidnappings, and devastating floods in Adamawa, Niger, and Lagos States as evidence of the government’s failure to protect lives and maintain critical infrastructure.
“Healthcare remains underfunded, agriculture and food security are under severe threat, and millions of Nigerians are facing acute hunger due to conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability,” the communiqué read.
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Economy, Power Supply, and Governance
On the economy, SSANU criticised what it described as reckless wastage in governance at a time when inflation and soaring fuel prices continue to crush households. Although the naira has marginally stabilised and inflation slowed slightly, the union said Nigerians were yet to feel real relief.
The union also decried poor electricity supply undermining teaching and research, calling for urgent nationwide expansion of solar power installations. It accused federal and state governments of mismanaging increased revenues, insisting there was “no excuse for failing to prioritise workers’ welfare.”
Security and Governance Reforms
On national security, SSANU called for the formal recognition of traditional rulers as part of Nigeria’s security architecture. It argued that their integration into national and state security councils would help restore confidence and foster peace. The union also advocated targeted security emergencies in violence-prone states, intelligence-led policing, and measures to address unemployment and poverty fuelling unrest.
Call for University Reforms
To reposition universities, the NEC urged the government to grant full autonomy to university governing councils, strengthen research and innovation funds, and provide living wages with guaranteed, timely salaries to attract and retain the best talents. It commended the creation of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF) but urged speedy disbursement of subscribed funds.
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Strike Threat and Final Warning
Reiterating its commitment to nation-building, SSANU said its members possess vital expertise in ICT, healthcare, engineering, finance, and administration, which the government must harness. However, it warned that if the current pattern of neglect continues, the union would have no choice but to activate lawful industrial actions to compel compliance.
“Nigerians deserve concrete action, not promises,” the communiqué stressed, urging members to remain professional and committed to the struggle for a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.
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