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The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) have moved closer to signing a fresh agreement with the Federal Government after major breakthroughs were recorded in ongoing renegotiations over workers’ welfare and allowances.
This followed resolutions reached at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the SSANU National Headquarters in Abuja, alongside a separate meeting of NASU branch chairmen from universities and inter-university centres held at Top Rank Hotels, Abuja.
In a memo presented by the committee led by Dr. Yayale Ahmed and addressed to the Joint Action Committee (JAC) leadership, the committee appreciated SSANU and NASU for suspending planned industrial action to allow further engagement with government.
The committee explained that additional time was required to secure final approval for the agreement, especially as both the Minister of Education and President Bola Tinubu were reportedly out of Abuja.
It appealed for an additional two weeks to conclude discussions and sign the final agreement before implementation approval would be sought.
Among key agreements reached are a 35 per cent increase on CONTISS as CONTTA and a 35 per cent increase in hazard allowance for staff on CONTISS 6 to 15, although the unions demanded a further upward review.
Other proposed benefits include improved responsibility allowances for bursars, registrars, directors, deputy registrars, deputy bursars, deputy directors, heads of unit and heads of department.
The negotiations also captured uniform allowance for deserving staff, excess workload allowance for officers on CONTISS 9 to 15, and measures to end the alleged usurpation of non-teaching staff duties in universities.
The unions further pushed for improved university funding and better conditions of service for non-academic staff.
According to the memo, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission is currently working on the final template expected to lead to the signing of the 2026 SSANU/Federal Government agreement.
Meanwhile, NASU branch chairmen from universities and inter-university centres expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the renegotiation process.
In resolutions issued after their meeting on Saturday, the chairmen commended the NASU leadership for its efforts and the successes recorded so far in discussions with the Federal Government.
The meeting empowered the union leadership to proceed with and finalise negotiations leading to the signing of a new agreement with government.
The chairmen also authorised the leadership to take any necessary action should the need arise.
The meeting further praised the leadership of NASU under the National President, Dr. Makolo Hassan, and General Secretary, Comrade Peters A. Adeyemi, for what it described as dedication, commitment and patriotism in advancing the union’s objectives.
The resolutions were conveyed in a statement signed by the Acting NASU Branch Chairman of the Federal University Dutse, Comrade Abdulhakim B. Datti.
