The Federal Government has released eight months’ salary arrears owed members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), less than 48 hours after the union issued a 14-day ultimatum over the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement.
SSANU, in a statement, commended the government for the prompt release of the funds, describing the development as a sign of responsiveness and commitment to agreements reached with university-based unions.
The union also praised the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, for his intervention and efforts towards ensuring the release of the arrears.
HERALDSUN recalls that SSANU, in a communiqué issued after its 56th National Executive Council meeting at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, had demanded the immediate release of funds for the payment of outstanding Consolidated University Teaching and Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) arrears, calculated from January 1, 2026.
The union had warned that failure to meet its demands within 14 days would lead to a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” without further notice.
SSANU also demanded the 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, the government released the eight months’ arrears less than 48 hours after the ultimatum was issued, averting a possible disruption of activities in universities.
Confirming the payment, SSANU President, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, described the development as a demonstration that constructive engagement backed by prompt action could protect industrial harmony and workers’ welfare.
Ibrahim particularly commended Alausa for his intervention, noting that the minister had contacted him before the ultimatum was issued to confirm that the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation were processing the funds for release.
He urged members across the union’s various branches to liaise with their university managements to ensure prompt and judicious payment, and to report any shortfall to the union.
SSANU said the minister’s engagement and the subsequent release of the arrears represented a commendable departure from the delays often associated with the implementation of negotiated agreements.
The union, however, maintained that the government must still settle the two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 strike and the one-year arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.
It described the outstanding payments as legitimate entitlements that should not be subjected to further delay.
The union also called on state governments and governing councils of state-owned universities to ensure full and equitable implementation of the agreement, warning that selective or delayed implementation could trigger unrest across the university system.
While welcoming the government’s intervention, SSANU reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement and industrial peace, but said it would deploy all lawful and constitutional means to protect the rights, welfare and professional advancement of its members where agreements were not faithfully implemented.
