The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a fresh ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude the renegotiation of its 2009 agreement with university workers by the end of April or face an indefinite nationwide strike that could shut down public universities.

The union warned that failure by the government to meet the deadline would force it to join forces with the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) under the Joint Action Committee to embark on what it described as a “total and comprehensive industrial action.”

The decision was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 54th National Executive Council meeting of SSANU held at Ekiti State University.

SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, said the prolonged delay in concluding negotiations with non-teaching university unions had become unacceptable.

The union stated, “NEC expresses grave concern over the slow pace and inconclusive nature of the ongoing renegotiation between the Federal Government and the non-teaching unions in the university system.”

It added that continuous engagement without clear timelines and commitments was worsening the crisis in the university system.

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

SSANU therefore gave the Federal Government a one-month deadline to resolve the dispute.

“In view of this, SSANU hereby issues a final ultimatum to the Federal Government from April 1 to April 30, 2026, to conclude the renegotiation process and sign the agreement,” the communiqué stated.

It warned that if the government fails to meet the deadline, the union would have no choice but to mobilise its members for industrial action.

“Should the Government fail to do so within this period, the union will have no other alternative but to liaise with its partner in the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU to commence an indefinite, comprehensive and total industrial action,” the statement added.

The union stressed that the planned action would be irreversible if the government ignored its demands.

SSANU also condemned persistent delays in salary payments to workers in federal and some state universities, describing the situation as unacceptable.

According to the union, “the persistent delays in the payment of salaries of staff in Federal and some State universities, as well as the non-payment of approved increments and other withheld entitlements, have imposed severe hardship on members and their families.”

It noted that the situation had weakened workers’ morale and negatively affected productivity across the university system.
The council demanded the immediate settlement of all outstanding salary issues and called for the establishment of a reliable and unified salary payment system for university workers.

SSANU further criticised the government over the handling of the ₦50bn Earned Allowances approved in 2022, accusing authorities of failing to fully implement the agreement.

“NEC expresses dissatisfaction with the failure of the Government to fully and fairly implement the disbursement of the ₦50bn Earned Allowances agreed upon in 2022,” the union said.

It also condemned the exclusion of inter-university centres and research institutes from previous disbursements, insisting that all eligible workers must benefit from the allowances.

Beyond labour issues, SSANU raised concerns about the worsening economic hardship in the country, which it said had drastically reduced the purchasing power of workers.

The union urged the government to introduce practical relief measures, including wage reviews and stronger social protection policies, to cushion the effects of inflation and rising living costs.

On the state of Nigerian universities, the union warned that inadequate funding had continued to undermine teaching, research and infrastructure development.

It said the funding crisis had resulted in “decaying infrastructure, weak service delivery and inadequate support for teaching, research, innovation and administration.”

SSANU called on the Federal Government to prioritise education funding and ensure predictable and transparent financing of public universities.

The union also expressed concern over growing insecurity across the country and within university communities, urging authorities to strengthen security measures to protect staff, students and critical infrastructure.

While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue, SSANU warned that continued neglect of university workers’ welfare could trigger another round of industrial unrest in the sector.

“SSANU has demonstrated maturity, patience and goodwill in the face of provocation and
hardship,” the union said.

“However, if the government fails to act within the stipulated timeframe, the union will not hesitate to embark on decisive and lawful industrial action.”