The National President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Comrade M. H. Ibrahim, on Friday delivered an anniversary address commemorating one year into his second term and five years of what he described as “focused, dogged and visionary leadership” of the union.
In his speech, Ibrahim expressed gratitude to God and appreciated SSANU members nationwide for their loyalty, unity, and resilience. He acknowledged the contributions of past leaders, the National Administrative Committee (NAC), National Executive Council (NEC), zonal executives, branch leaders and secretariat staff for sustaining the progress recorded over the years.
Reviewing his five-year stewardship, the SSANU President highlighted what he called unprecedented achievements across infrastructure, welfare, administration, and union advocacy. He noted that the union’s National Secretariat had been fully remodeled and equipped, complemented by the acquisition of vehicles, transformers, landed property, and the completion of a 5-Star SSANU Lodge in Abuja, which he described as a “landmark achievement.”
In administration and governance, Ibrahim said dormant branches had been revived, new branches inaugurated, and operations decentralized to improve efficiency. He added that financial management had been strengthened through expanded group life insurance, commercial services and financial support to branches.
He also cited improvements in communication and technology, including a strengthened digital presence, active media engagements and a functional website. According to him, human capacity development was boosted through regular meetings, trainings and new appointments in the Secretariat.
On welfare, Ibrahim said the union successfully pushed for the release of earned allowances, payment of National Minimum Wage arrears, and the recent payment of two months of withheld salaries alongside third-party deductions. He described these outcomes as evidence of SSANU’s commitment to protecting members’ welfare.
Ibrahim also emphasized strengthened institutional relationships through engagements with government ministries, agencies, the NLC, ARNU, CVC, ABNU and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum — efforts which he said contributed to the government’s return to renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/SSANU Agreement.
He stated that the union had played a key role in restoring industrial peace in several universities, securing the reinstatement of victimized members and maintaining firm but responsible labour advocacy.
Looking ahead, Ibrahim said the union’s future lies in deepening institutional capacity, embracing innovation in labour relations and grooming a new generation of leaders. He reaffirmed SSANU’s commitment to responsible unionism and the pursuit of justice, fairness and improved welfare for university staff nationwide.
He concluded with optimism, expressing faith that the union would continue to grow stronger through unity and dedication.
Comrade Ibrahim currently serves as National President of SSANU, National Internal Auditor of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising SSANU and NASU.
