The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has urged the Federal Government to urgently conclude renegotiations with non-teaching unions in public universities to sustain industrial harmony across the sector.
The appeal follows the recent signing of a renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, described the agreement with ASUU as commendable but insufficient to guarantee lasting peace in the university system.
According to him, genuine stability can only be achieved if similar urgency is extended to ongoing negotiations with other university-based unions, including SSANU, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
“The ASUU agreement is a welcome development, but it does not automatically translate to total industrial peace in the university system,” Ibrahim said. “Government must urgently conclude renegotiations with SSANU, NASU and NAAT to avoid fresh unrest and sustain the current stability on campuses.”
He warned that unresolved negotiations could trigger renewed tensions, describing the situation as “not yet uhuru.” Ibrahim noted that the unions are parties to outstanding agreements reached in 2009, many aspects of which are yet to be fully implemented.
The SSANU president acknowledged that discussions with government had commenced but stressed the need for prompt conclusion to avoid mistrust and perceptions of selective engagement.
He explained that universities operate as integrated systems, where both academic and non-teaching staff play interdependent roles. According to him, non-teaching staff are critical to campus security, healthcare services, laboratories, power supply and general maintenance.
Ibrahim cautioned that neglecting the welfare of non-teaching staff could disrupt academic activities and destabilise university calendars.
He further expressed concern that prolonged delays could reverse recent gains in industrial harmony, especially as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections begin to intensify.
Ibrahim urged the Federal Government to demonstrate fairness, inclusiveness and sincerity by respecting collective bargaining agreements, noting that this was key to sustaining trust and long-term industrial peace in the tertiary education sector.
