The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has threatened to embark on a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” if the Federal Government fails to release funds for the full implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement within 14 days.
The union specifically demanded the immediate payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the CONTTA salary structure, effective from 1 January 2026.
The ultimatum was issued at the end of SSANU’s 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from 30 September to 1 October 2026.
The union said, although implementation of the 2026 agreement, formally signed on 29 June 2026, had commenced in some universities, the process remained incomplete and uneven across the university system due to funding and administrative challenges.
In a communique issued after the meeting and signed by SSANU’s National President, Comrade M. Haruna Ibrahim, the union said members had waited long enough for the benefits of an agreement already concluded.
“NEC, in session, after exhaustive deliberations on the continued non-release of funds for the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement, issued the Federal Government a fourteen (14) day ultimatum to release the required funds and ensure the full payment of all outstanding CONTTA arrears,” the union said.
It warned that failure to meet the demand within the stipulated period would trigger industrial action without further notice.
“Failure of the Federal Government to meet this demand within the fourteen (14) days will compel the Union to resume a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action without further notice,” SSANU declared.
The union also raised concerns that universities which had commenced implementation of the CONTTA salary structure had done so largely through internally sourced funds, without direct cash backing from the Federal Government.
It therefore called on vice-chancellors and governing councils of universities yet to implement the financial and non-financial components of the 2026 agreement to draw lessons from institutions that had taken proactive steps to implement it.
SSANU said such action was necessary “in the interest of staff welfare, industrial harmony and improved organisational performance.”
The union further demanded payment of the remaining two months’ salaries withheld from affected members during the 2022 industrial action.
It also demanded immediate payment of the outstanding one-year arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases, describing the payments as “legitimate entitlements” of affected university workers.
SSANU urged the Federal Government to settle the outstanding obligations in full, saying this would help address the financial hardship being experienced by affected members and demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of university workers.
On state-owned universities, the union expressed concern over the uneven implementation of the agreement, citing varying experiences across Ondo, Delta and Kaduna states.
It called on state governments and governing councils of state universities to ensure full and equitable implementation of the agreement and provide the necessary funding.
The union maintained that staff of state universities “must not be treated as lesser partners in the Nigerian University System”, warning that selective or delayed implementation could undermine industrial harmony.
Beyond the immediate salary issues, SSANU called for increased and sustainable funding of the Nigerian university system to improve teaching, research and innovation.
It urged the government to invest in critical infrastructure, including electricity, laboratories, workshops, libraries, ICT facilities, security systems and maintenance.
The union also opposed the planned adoption of online or virtual accreditation as a substitute for physical accreditation of university programmes.
It argued that direct verification of facilities, staffing, equipment and the actual learning environment remained essential to safeguarding academic standards and preserving the credibility of Nigerian university programmes.
On the wider economy, SSANU expressed concern over persistent insecurity, the rising cost of living and worsening food insecurity, saying these had combined to erode workers’ purchasing power and place enormous pressure on families.
It called on the government to strengthen intelligence gathering and protection of vulnerable communities, particularly farming communities and educational institutions, while pursuing policies that reduce the cost of living, protect workers’ incomes and improve agricultural productivity.
The union reaffirmed its “zero tolerance” for the victimisation of members on account of lawful trade union activities and condemned harassment, discriminatory treatment, punitive postings, denial of negotiated benefits and deliberate obstruction of career progression.
While reaffirming its commitment to constructive engagement and industrial harmony, SSANU said it would continue to deploy “all lawful and constitutional means” necessary to defend the legitimate rights and interests of its members.