The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal Government to immediately release the remaining two months’ withheld salaries of its members who participated in the 2022 industrial action.
The union also decried the recurrent delay in salary disbursements to federal universities, which often come weeks after other federal employees have been paid.
These concerns were among the major highlights of the 51st National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union, held at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State.
In a statement issued at the end of the meeting and signed by SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, the union demanded the harmonisation of salary payments across all federal and state institutions, stressing that equity and fairness must be the benchmark.
“Universities should not be left behind in the salary cycle. The persistent delay in payment has become intolerable,” the statement read.
The union expressed dismay over the Federal Government’s continued silence on the renegotiation of the 2009 FG/SSANU Agreement, which has remained unresolved for over a decade.
“The prolonged delay in commencing substantive discussions is unacceptable,” the communique noted.
“We demand immediate resumption and conclusion of the renegotiation process to avert an industrial crisis in the university system.”
₦10bn Allocation to Non-Teaching Staff ‘Unjust’
SSANU also criticised the allocation of the recently released ₦50 billion Earned Allowance, of which only ₦10 billion (20%) was allocated to the three non-teaching staff unions, SSANU, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
“This allocation is unjust, discriminatory, and fails to acknowledge the indispensable role SSANU members play in the effective functioning of Nigerian universities,” the union said.
It described the sharing formula as a breach of the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU.
Naijaonpoint reports that the academic union lamented the Federal Government’s consistent disregard for MoUs, Memoranda of Action (MoAs), and collectively bargained agreements, warning that SSANU would no longer tolerate the trend.
“These agreements, having been reached through structured dialogue and mutual consent, are binding and must be honoured in full,” the NEC declared. “If this pattern of neglect continues, the union will be left with no choice but to explore all lawful and appropriate avenues to compel compliance.”
SSANU also expressed grave concern over the worsening insecurity in the country, particularly in Benue, Plateau, and other states where mass killings have occurred.
The union called for a national emergency on security, urging the government to invest in modern infrastructure and overhaul the nation’s security architecture through improved intelligence gathering and professionalism among security agencies.
It also advocated addressing the root causes of violence, including poverty, youth unemployment, and social injustice, through targeted empowerment initiatives.
Economic Reforms Worsening Hardship – SSANU
Regarding the economy, SSANU stated that, despite their intention to stabilise the economy, recent reforms, such as the elimination of fuel subsidies and currency unification, have made life much worse for Nigerians.
The union pointed out that workers and vulnerable citizens are under unconscionable strain due to inflation rising food prices and declining purchasing power.
The union called for the Federal Government to enact specific social protection programs, such as conditional cash transfers, fuel vouchers, and food subsidies for low-income earners, to lessen the effects of economic policies.
“NEC calls on the Federal Government to demonstrate sincerity, commitment, and responsiveness in addressing our demands as SSANU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the promotion of equity, professionalism, and good governance within the Nigerian university system and the broader national landscape.
“The union remains resolute in its duty to protect the welfare, rights, and dignity of its members across the country,” the communique added.