The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), South East Zone, has called on the Federal Government to urgently address issues of salary disparity, unpaid entitlements, and underfunding of universities.
The union made the demand at its Zonal Workshop on Thursday with the theme: “Strategies for Building Formidable Union Leadership: A Practicable Approach.”
The council expressed displeasure over what it described as an imbalance in the disbursement of the ₦50 billion earned allowance, where ₦40 billion was allocated to one union while SSANU, NASU and NAAT shared ₦10 billion.
It urged government to release at least ₦100 billion to the three non-teaching unions to cover previous shortfalls.
The zone also rejected the reported recommendations of the Nimi Briggs Committee, which allegedly proposed a 100 per cent to 10 per cent salary increase ratio between ASUU and other unions.
“SSANU South East Zone says no to salary disparity. We totally reject any implementation of the Nimi Briggs proposal,” the council declared.
The association further demanded the recommencement and conclusion of the 2009 renegotiation agreement, while cautioning the Office of the Head of Service against what it termed “attempted usurpation of statutory functions of University Governing Councils.”
It also raised concerns over unpaid deductions, noting that third-party remittances from withheld salaries under IPPIS had yet to be released.
“We urge the Federal Government to release these deductions immediately and pay the outstanding two months of withheld salaries, along with the ₦35,000 salary award and 12 months’ arrears of 25%/35%,” it stated.
The union warned that failure to honour agreements could result in industrial action that may paralyse the nation’s university system.
“There is a growing concern and palpable fear of a total shutdown of the Nigerian university system. Nigerians should hold the Federal Government responsible if that happens,” the council warned.
Beyond university matters, the council also expressed concerns about worsening insecurity, poor infrastructure, rising cost of living, high fuel prices and planned tax reforms.
