SSANU to FG: Conclude renegotiation of 2009 agreement now or face indefinite strike

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a strong ultimatum to the Federal Government to urgently conclude the long-delayed renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with non-teaching unions, warning that failure to act within a one-month window could trigger a nationwide indefinite strike.

Rising from its 54th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Ekiti State University, the union expressed deep frustration over what it described as the “slow pace and inconclusive nature” of talks that have lingered without clear outcomes. The union insisted that continued delays have eroded trust and worsened tensions across the university system.

“Prolonged engagement without clear commitment, defined timelines, and tangible outcomes is unacceptable,” SSANU declared, stressing that the Federal Government must “without further delay, reconvene and conclude the renegotiation process in a fair, transparent, and time-bound manner.”

The union gave the government from April 1 to April 30, 2026, to wrap up negotiations and sign a new agreement, warning that failure to meet the deadline would leave it with “no other alternative but to liaise” with its Joint Action Committee partner to embark on “an indefinite, comprehensive, and total industrial action.” It added pointedly that “there will be no going back on this decision.”

Beyond the renegotiation impasse, SSANU painted a grim picture of worsening welfare conditions for university workers, citing persistent salary delays, unpaid increments, and withheld entitlements. The NEC condemned the situation as one that has imposed “severe hardship on members and their families, weakened morale, and undermined productivity.”

The union demanded the immediate settlement of all outstanding salary-related issues and urged the government to adopt a more reliable payment system, noting that a unified and seamless platform would prevent recurring disruptions.

On earned allowances, SSANU expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the government’s failure to fully implement the disbursement of the ₦50 billion agreed in 2022. It decried the exclusion of inter-university centres and research institutes from previous payments, insisting that “all eligible categories of workers must be included without discrimination.”

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The NEC also linked the crisis in the university system to the broader economic hardship in the country, noting that inflation and the rising cost of living have significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power. It called for urgent relief measures, including wage reviews and strengthened social protection systems to cushion the effects on university staff.

SSANU further highlighted the deepening funding crisis in Nigerian universities, warning that inadequate investment continues to fuel decaying infrastructure, weaken service delivery, and limit research and innovation. It urged the government to treat education as a priority sector and ensure “predictable, transparent, and adequate funding” of public universities.

On security, the union raised alarm over the deteriorating national situation and growing threats within university communities. It called for “more decisive, intelligence-driven, and sustained steps” to safeguard lives and property nationwide, while also urging authorities to strengthen campus security through improved surveillance, infrastructure, and personnel welfare.

The NEC did not shy away from addressing the global competitiveness of Nigerian universities, warning that institutions are falling behind due to weak digital infrastructure and limited research support. It called for urgent investment in digital transformation and stronger institutional partnerships to keep the system globally relevant.

Reaffirming its alignment with the broader labour movement, SSANU commended the support of the Nigeria Labour Congress and emphasised its commitment to lawful engagement. However, it maintained a hard line against policies that could threaten job security, particularly warning against public-private partnership arrangements that may lead to job losses or the erosion of workers’ rights.

The union said the continued neglect of university workers “can no longer be tolerated,” urging the Federal Government to act decisively to restore confidence in its commitment to industrial justice.

“SSANU has demonstrated maturity, patience, and goodwill in the face of provocation and hardship,” the communiqué stated. “However, if Government fails to act within the stipulated timeframe, the Union will not hesitate to embark on decisive and lawful industrial action.”

With tensions rising and the deadline fast approaching, the latest warning signals a potential return to industrial unrest in Nigeria’s already fragile university system unless urgent steps are taken to resolve the lingering dispute.