Union seeks release of funds for 35% salary increase, urges government to fulfil university revitalisation commitments.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal Government to immediately release funds for the implementation of the 2026 Federal Government/SSANU Agreement and pay outstanding salary arrears owed to its members.
The union made the demand in a communiqué signed by its National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, at the end of its 55th National Executive Council meeting held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, from July 22 to 24.
SSANU described the signing of the 2026 agreement on June 29 as a landmark achievement after years of negotiations. The agreement provides for a 35 per cent upward review of emoluments through the Consolidated Non-Teaching Staff Allowance, improved earned allowances, enhanced staff training and development, protection of non-teaching positions, and equal career progression opportunities for qualified degree holders up to CONTISS 15.
The union commended the Federal Government, the renegotiation committee, relevant ministries and agencies, and the SSANU negotiation team for concluding the renegotiation process. It also praised the National Universities Commission for forwarding the agreement to public universities and inter-university centres.
SSANU, however, urged both the federal and state governments to release implementation funds and pay approved arrears without delay. It also called for the immediate activation of the implementation monitoring committee to ensure compliance with the agreement.
The union warned against the denial of negotiated benefits, delayed promotions, punitive postings, or the victimisation of members for participating in lawful union activities.
It further criticised vice-chancellors and heads of institutions yet to implement or pay the outstanding 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase arrears, urging them to settle the payments to ease the economic burden on workers.
On education funding, SSANU welcomed the HOPE-EDU programme and the 2026 Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) intervention of about ₦2.53 billion for each public university but insisted that the intervention should complement, not replace, adequate government funding. The union also urged the Federal Government to fulfil its ₦1.3 trillion university revitalisation commitment.
Expressing concern over the country’s economic situation, SSANU noted that the marginal decline in headline inflation had not translated into improved welfare for workers, stressing that food inflation remained high.
The union called on the government to restore workers’ purchasing power through improved pensions, affordable housing, better transportation and stronger social protection measures, while ensuring fairness in the implementation of the new tax framework.
SSANU also condemned the rising wave of insecurity across the country and called for constitutional safeguards to prevent the political abuse of state police if established. It urged university authorities to strengthen campus security through improved surveillance systems, perimeter fencing, adequate lighting and closer collaboration with security agencies.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to industrial harmony, constructive dialogue and the defence of workers’ rights, pledging to monitor the implementation of the 2026 agreement while continuing to engage stakeholders in advancing the welfare of university workers and national development.