The National Executive Council of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU-NEC) has issued a fresh warning that the union may embark on a total and comprehensive strike in 2026 if the Federal Government fails to meet key demands before December 31, 2025.
The decision was taken at the association’s 53rd NEC meeting held at the University of Jos, Plateau State, where leaders reviewed the state of Nigerian universities, national security, and ongoing renegotiations with the government.
In a communiqué released on Monday and signed by SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, the union condemned what it described as the continued marginalisation of non-teaching staff in the payment of Earned Allowances and government negotiations.
According to Ibrahim, the N50bn captured in the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding must be released immediately, with Inter-University Centres and research institutes—previously excluded—fully included in the next round of payments.
He said the government’s renegotiation efforts have shown “deliberate and persistent exclusion,” warning that SSANU will not tolerate further neglect.
“If the government fails to conclude credible renegotiations and present a realistic offer by December 31, 2025, SSANU will be compelled to initiate total, comprehensive, and system-wide industrial action in 2026,” the communiqué stated.
The union also raised alarm over worsening insecurity in educational institutions, referencing recent abductions in Niger and Kebbi States. SSANU-NEC called for modern surveillance systems, improved perimeter fencing, and stronger campus security architecture.
On the Federal Government’s proposed public-private partnership model for university municipal services, the union warned that such moves could lead to job losses, casualisation, and destabilised service delivery.
“NEC will not accept the introduction of any policy that affects our members without comprehensive labour-impact assessment and proper stakeholder engagement,” Ibrahim stressed.
Beyond university issues, SSANU-NEC expressed concern over the deterioration of national sectors including healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure. The union urged coordinated national efforts to address food insecurity, weak disease surveillance, failing water and sanitation systems, and the impacts of climate-related flooding.
SSANU said without urgent intervention, these crises will deepen hardship and undermine long-term stability and development.
