FG Releases 8-Month Salary Arrears, Averts SSANU Strike

The federal government has released eight months’ salary arrears owed members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), averting a planned strike by the union.

The payment followed a 14-day ultimatum issued by SSANU over outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement.

The union had threatened to embark on a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” if the government failed to meet its demands within the stipulated period.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, welcomed the release of the funds, saying it would help preserve industrial harmony across the nation’s universities.

Ibrahim also praised the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, for intervening in the matter and working towards the release of the outstanding arrears.

According to him, the development showed that sustained dialogue between the government and university-based unions could yield positive outcomes when followed by timely action.

“This is a demonstration that constructive engagement, when matched with prompt action, can protect industrial harmony and workers’ welfare,” Ibrahim said.

He called on SSANU members across the country to engage their respective university managements to ensure that the released funds were paid promptly and appropriately.

The union president further asked members to notify the association of any shortfall or irregularity in the payment for necessary action.

While acknowledging the release, Ibrahim urged the federal government to maintain the same approach in honouring agreements reached with university-based unions and clearing outstanding entitlements.

He, however, said two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action, as well as one-year arrears resulting from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases, were still outstanding.

“These are legitimate entitlements of our members and should not be subjected to further delay,” he said.

Ibrahim also appealed to state governments and governing councils of state-owned universities to ensure that agreements reached with university-based unions were fully implemented and adequately funded.

He warned that selective or delayed implementation could lead to renewed tensions and threaten industrial harmony in the university system.

The SSANU president reaffirmed the union’s commitment to dialogue and industrial peace, but said it would continue to pursue lawful measures to defend the rights and welfare of its members.

He added that the payment of the arrears had boosted confidence that constructive engagement could produce tangible benefits for workers, students and the wider Nigerian university system.