The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has warned of possible nationwide industrial action if the Federal Government fails to address persistent funding shortages, salary delays and stalled renegotiation of agreements in the university system.
This was contained in the Resolution of the 54th National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting of SSANU, held from March 24 to March 26, 2026, at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
In a State of the Union address presented at the meeting, SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, said the union’s patience was not limitless, stressing that continued neglect of workers’ welfare could lead to unavoidable consequences.
He warned that failure to address key issues affecting university workers would further destabilise the education sector.
“If funding remains inadequate, agreements are disregarded, renegotiations continue to stall, and our members are treated unjustly, the university system will face serious and unavoidable consequences,” Ibrahim said.
He said the NEC reviewed developments since its last meeting and noted that conditions across Nigerian universities had worsened rather than improved.
The union identified poor and inconsistent funding as a major challenge affecting infrastructure development, essential services and research activities in universities.
Ibrahim said universities could not function effectively under unpredictable funding arrangements, urging government to prioritise education financing and ensure transparency in fund releases.
On security, SSANU expressed concern over growing threats within and around university campuses, including theft, harassment and kidnapping risks.
The union called on federal and state governments, as well as university authorities, to strengthen campus security through improved surveillance systems, perimeter fencing and better coordination with security agencies.
The NEC also warned that Nigerian universities risk falling behind global standards due to weak digital infrastructure and limited investment in research and innovation.
According to Ibrahim, the global higher education landscape is rapidly evolving through digitalisation and artificial intelligence, while many Nigerian institutions still rely on outdated systems.
He urged government to invest in digital transformation and strengthen collaboration between universities, industries and international partners.
The meeting further criticised delays in the release of the ₦50 billion Earned Allowances approved in 2022 to resolve earlier disputes with university workers.
SSANU insisted that all categories of workers, including those in inter-university centres and research institutes, must be included in the disbursement.
The union also condemned delays in salary payments across federal universities, particularly the February 2026 salaries, describing the situation as a recurring pattern that had imposed severe hardship on members.
Ibrahim said uncertainty surrounding payment timelines had weakened morale and productivity among workers.
He called for the adoption of a unified and reliable salary payment system to eliminate recurring delays and restore confidence among staff.
On renegotiation of agreements with the Federal Government, the union expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as slow progress and lack of clear timelines.
It warned that prolonged negotiations without concrete outcomes could erode trust and increase tensions within the university system.
SSANU also reaffirmed its commitment to collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), noting that the labour body had earlier advised the union to suspend planned strike actions to allow further engagement with government.
The NEC raised concerns over proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements in universities, warning that such reforms must not result in job losses or casualisation of workers.
The union emphasised that any reform must prioritise infrastructure development without undermining workers’ rights and job security.
On economic conditions, SSANU noted that rising inflation and increasing living costs had significantly affected the welfare of university workers.
It called for a realistic wage review and expanded social protection measures to cushion the effects of economic hardship.
As part of its resolutions, the NEC urged the Federal Government to urgently reconvene the renegotiation committee and ensure a structured, transparent and time-bound engagement process.
It also demanded immediate settlement of all outstanding salary arrears, withheld salaries and approved increments.
The union further called for the inclusive release of the ₦50 billion Earned Allowances and the establishment of a standing consultative mechanism between government and university unions to prevent future disputes.
SSANU warned that failure by government to address these issues promptly could lead to coordinated industrial action across universities nationwide.
Ibrahim, however, reaffirmed the union’s commitment to dialogue, stating that SSANU remained open to constructive engagement aimed at restoring stability and fairness within the university system.
The NEC concluded with a call on members nationwide to remain united and prepared for collective action, while urging government to act swiftly to safeguard the future of Nigeria’s university system.
