The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has recorded a major breakthrough in its decades-long struggle for improved welfare following the signing and sealing of the 2026 Federal Government (FG)/SSANU Agreement at the National Universities Commission (NUC) headquarters in Abuja.
The agreement, described by the union as a “historic milestone,” was signed on Monday by SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, on behalf of the union, while Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, CFR, signed on behalf of the Federal Government.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Ibrahim called on the Federal Government to commence immediate implementation of the agreement, stressing that the true value of the negotiations would only be realised when every provision was fully executed.
“As the National President of SSANU, I call on the Federal Government to begin the implementation of the agreement with alacrity,” he said.
The union noted that the agreement marks the successful conclusion of years of sustained engagement, dialogue, negotiations and strategic advocacy aimed at improving the welfare and working conditions of senior non-teaching staff in Nigerian universities.
According to SSANU, the agreement is not merely a ceremonial achievement but the outcome of years of sacrifices, patience, responsible unionism, disciplined leadership and the unwavering resilience of its members across the country.
The association said the renegotiated agreement represents a significant step towards addressing longstanding concerns, including improved conditions of service, fair remuneration, salary review, CONTTISS adjustment and greater recognition of the indispensable role played by senior non-teaching staff in ensuring stability and effective administration of Nigerian universities.
It emphasised that the agreement acknowledges the critical contributions of non-teaching staff to the growth, development and smooth functioning of the nation’s university system.
While celebrating the achievement, the union urged its members not to regard the signing as the end of the struggle, noting that the focus must now shift from negotiation to implementation.
SSANU maintained that members must remain vigilant, united and disciplined to ensure that every provision of the agreement is implemented faithfully, without delay, discrimination or exclusion.
The union described the agreement as a victory for dialogue, perseverance and organised labour, adding that lasting success would only be measured by the Federal Government’s commitment to timely implementation.
It also urged members nationwide to remain calm, informed and united as the implementation phase begins.
Photographs from the event showed the arrival of SSANU officials at the NUC headquarters, pre-signing engagements between government and union representatives, the signing ceremony, presentation of the signed documents and a group photograph marking the successful conclusion of the exercise.
The agreement is expected to boost staff morale and strengthen industrial harmony across Nigeria’s public universities, where SSANU has consistently advocated improved welfare and recognition for senior non-teaching personnel.
The signing comes amid renewed efforts by stakeholders to sustain stability in the nation’s tertiary education sector through dialogue and effective labour relations.
