FG yields to SSANU ultimatum, releases eight months’ salary arrears

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has commended the Federal Government for releasing eight months’ salary arrears owed to its members, less than two days after the union issued a 14-day ultimatum over the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement.

The union said the payment reflected the Federal Government’s responsiveness and demonstrated the commitment of the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, to implementing agreements reached with university-based unions.

SSANU had issued the ultimatum following a communiqué adopted at its 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the weekend.

At the meeting, the union demanded the immediate release of funds and full payment of outstanding arrears under the Consolidated University Teaching and Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTTA), calculated from January 1, 2026.

The union’s latest position signals a shift from its earlier warning, following the release of the eight months’ salary arrears to affected members.

SSANU had warned that failure by the Federal Government to meet its demand within 14 days would compel the union to resume a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” without further notice.

The ultimatum also demanded payment of two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action and one-year arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.

However, less than 48 hours after the union made its position public, the Federal Government released the eight months’ arrears, averting an imminent disruption of academic activities across Nigerian universities.

Confirming the release of the eight months arrears, SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, described the development as a demonstration that constructive engagement, when matched with prompt action, can protect industrial harmony and workers’ welfare.

He particularly commended Dr Alausa for his proactive intervention and for keeping to his promise to facilitate the release of the funds.

Mohammed advised members of the union in their various branches to liaise with the management of their universities to ensure prompt and judicious payment and report back any shortfall.

Before the ultimatum was issued, the minister reportedly contacted SSANU’s national president, Ibrahim, to confirm that the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation were processing the funds for release.

SSANU said the minister’s proactive engagement, followed by actual release of the arrears, reflected a commendable departure from the usual delay in implementing negotiated agreements. The union urged the Federal Government to sustain this responsive approach in settling all remaining entitlements of university workers.

Despite the release of the eight months’ arrears, SSANU, however, maintained that the Federal Government must still settle the outstanding two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 strike and the one-year arrears from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.

The union described the obligations as legitimate entitlements that should not be subjected to further delay.

NEC had also called on state governments and governing councils of state-owned universities to ensure full, equitable and properly funded implementation of the agreement, warning that selective or delayed implementation could fuel unrest in the university system.

While welcoming the government’s action, SSANU reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement and industrial peace. It, however, insisted that it would deploy all lawful and constitutional means to protect the rights, welfare and professional advancement of its members where agreements are not faithfully implemented.

The union said the prompt settlement of the arrears had strengthened confidence that constructive engagement between government and university-based unions could deliver tangible results for workers, students and the wider Nigerian University System.

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