SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION OF
NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES (SSANU)
Address: Plot No. 121, Cadastral Zone B11, Opposite Sails Ventilated Homes, Behind Kings’ Court Estate, Daki-Biyu District, Jabi, Abuja, FCT. Phone: 07032122717, 07030100602
Email: ssanunational@yahoo.com ssanunational@gmail.com Website: www.ssanunational.org.ng
National President:
Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim
mngr, flnlc, fcilm, manupa
associogold@gmail.com
mwharinaibrahim@live.co.uk
Deputy National President:
Dr. Ieku L. Ador
08037339051 lekuifelix@yahoo.com
COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 53RD NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) MEETING OF THE SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES (SSANU) HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF JOS, PLATEAU STATE, DECEMBER 2025
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) held its 53rd National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting at the University of Jos, Plateau State, to review the state of the nation, assess developments in the Nigerian university system, and deliberate on issues affecting the welfare of its members.
After extensive deliberations, NEC resolved as follows:
DETERIORATING SECURITY SITUATION IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
NEC expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity across the country, especially the spike in kidnappings targeting school and university environments. The recent abduction of students and teachers in Niger and Kebbi States highlights the dangerous trend that threatens all educational at all levels.
The Council calls on the Federal and State Governments to prioritize security in all educational institutions by deploying modern surveillance technology, strengthening perimeter protection, and improving intelligence and community-based security systems. University security architecture must be upgraded, and staff must be covered by comprehensive health and life insurance.
MARGINALISATION OF NON-TEACHING STAFF IN FUNDING, RE-NEGOTIATION, AND GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT
NEC expressed strong dissatisfaction with the longstanding marginalisation of non-teaching staff in both the payment of Earned Allowances and the government’s renegotiation agreements. The Council insists that NUC and Nimi Briggs’s 2022 Draft Agreement must be revisited to reflect the delay and under-funding of Research Institutes, which were excluded in previous disbursements, must be fully included in the next payment.
NEC further reviewed the activities of the expanded renegotiation committee and noted that government has failed to make substantial commitments to SSANU, even while giving preferential treatment to others. This pattern reflects a deliberate and persistent exclusion of non-teaching staff. The Council resolved that if government fails to conclude the renegotiations and present a realistic offer by December 31st, 2025, SSANU will be compelled to initiate total, comprehensive, and system-wide industrial action in 2026 to defend the rights and dignity of its members.
PPP/DIVESTMENT OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN UNIVERSITIES
NEC lamented the Federal Ministry of Education’s proposal on divestment and PPP arrangements for municipal services in universities and expressed strong concerns about its implications for job security, workers’ rights, and service delivery. NEC also questioned the need for more PPP models across institutions that historically suffered mismanagement.
The Council noted that similar PPP moves across sectors have resulted in job losses, casualisation, wage cuts, and the erosion of institutional knowledge essential to the smooth functioning of universities. NEC insists that SSANU cannot accept divestment under any circumstances.
The Council reaffirmed SSANU’s firm position that no staff must lose their jobs, be replaced, downgraded, or pushed into precarious employment. NEC will not accept the introduction of any policy that will affect its members without proper engagement and consideration of labour impact assessments with all relevant stakeholders. Any attempt to impose PPP measures without transparency and staff welfare will be met with decisiveness from the union.
PERSISTENT UNDERFUNDING AND DECAY OF UNIVERSITY INFRASTRUCTURE
NEC noted with dismay the ever-widening gap between the increasing needs of Nigerian universities and the inadequate level of government funding. Many campuses suffer severe decay: poor water supply, dilapidated hostels, under-equipped laboratories, and obsolete research facilities.
Offices have deteriorated into unsafe and embarrassing work environments. Laboratories operate with broken or non-functional equipment, severely limiting research output and practical learning.
NEC further observed that weak campus infrastructure extends to security architecture, water supply, power, lighting, broken perimeter fences, and under-equipped security units that expose staff and students to rising threats. Combined with inconsistent maintenance culture and delayed release of funds, universities are unable to function as basic operations.
SSANU therefore demands predictable and adequate funding, timely releases, and efficient utilisation of resources to ensure that resources directly address critical needs in teaching, research, infrastructure, digital systems, and administrative services. Without effective government attention, the decay of university infrastructure will continue to undermine national development and the future of the Nigerian youth.
ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AND RISING COST OF LIVING
NEC expressed deep concern over the severe economic pressure facing university workers as inflation, fuel price increases, transportation difficulties, and escalating prices of essential goods continue to erode wages and destabilise staff welfare. Members are struggling to meet basic household needs, and the continued rise in living expenses has caused many to experience significant financial distress. These conditions are unsustainable and threaten the wellbeing, productivity, and motivation of workers.
The Council therefore calls for an urgent and meaningful wage review that reflects current economic realities, alongside expanded social protection measures specifically targeted at education sector workers. NEC also demands clear government policies ensuring affordable transportation and housing for staff, stressing that workers cannot continue to bear the full impact of an economy that has outpaced their earnings and undermined their quality of life.
NATIONAL CHALLENGES: HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
NEC reviewed the broader national landscape and noted the mounting pressures felt by the country because of the collapse of critical sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. Public health systems remain overstretched, with inadequate staffing and insufficient emergency response mechanisms.
The agricultural sector has recorded huge losses exacerbated by worsening insecurity. With over 2.7 million Nigerians currently affected, communities have experienced widespread flooding that displaced families and devastated farmlands.
In light of these challenges, the Council calls for urgent, coordinated national action that prioritises food security systems. This includes strengthening healthcare delivery, supporting farmers with inputs and secure working environments, rehabilitating infrastructure, and making sustained investments in climate-resilient infrastructure.
NEC emphasised that if these issues remain unattended, the national crisis will continue to compound hardship for citizens and undermine long-term development.
SSANU’S COMMITMENT TO NATIONAL RECOVERY
NEC reaffirmed SSANU’s readiness to collaborate with government in rebuilding public institutions, improving governance, strengthening accountability, and modernising the nation’s workforce. The union stands ready to contribute its expertise to national recovery efforts and sustainable development.
CONCLUSION
The 53rd NEC Meeting reaffirmed the commitment of SSANU to defend the welfare, rights, and dignity of its members. The Council calls on government at all levels to take urgent action to address lingering issues affecting university workers to preserve the integrity and importance of Nigeria’s universities.
SSANU is committed to constructive dialogue, but it will not hesitate to take lawful action whenever necessary to protect its members and secure the future of the Nigerian university system.
Long live SSANU.
Long live the Nigerian University System.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim
mngr, fnit, fcilm, manupa
National President, SSANU
National Internal Auditor, NLC
Chairman JAC of (SSANU & NASU)
