SSANU URGES FG, STATES TO RELEASE FUNDS FOR NEW SALARY DEAL
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has urged the Federal and State Governments to immediately release funds for the implementation of the newly signed 2026 agreement, including the payment of outstanding salary arrears, warning against delays or discrimination in extending the negotiated benefits to its members.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued after the union’s 55th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, from July 22 to 24, 2026.
The communiqué, signed by SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, described the June 29, 2026 agreement between the Federal Government and SSANU as a major milestone after years of negotiations.
According to the union, the agreement provides for a 35 per cent salary increase under the Consolidated Non-Teaching Staff Salary Structure (CONTISS), improved earned allowances, enhanced staff training and development, protection of non-teaching positions, and equal career progression for qualified degree holders up to CONTISS 15.
SSANU insisted that the agreement must be implemented fully, promptly and without discrimination. It also called for the immediate activation of the Implementation Monitoring Committee to oversee compliance and address violations.
The union warned university authorities against denying members negotiated benefits, delaying promotions, making punitive postings or victimising staff for participating in lawful union activities.
It clarified that the agreement applies only to constitutionally recognised SSANU members and directed its branches to maintain accurate membership records while reporting cases of marginalisation through the union’s structures.
On outstanding salary arrears, SSANU commended vice-chancellors and heads of institutions that had fully or partially implemented the payment of the 25 and 35 per cent salary increase arrears. However, it criticised institutions yet to comply and urged them to pay the arrears without further delay to improve staff welfare amid rising economic hardship.
The union also welcomed the Federal Government’s HOPE-EDU programme and the 2026 Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) intervention of about ₦2.53 billion allocated to each public university. However, it stressed that TETFund support should complement, not replace, statutory government funding, while calling on the government to fulfil its ₦1.3 trillion public university revitalisation commitment.
SSANU further urged the government to provide a transparent account of education funds released and invest more in staff and student accommodation, laboratories, electricity, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, research and staff development.
On the economy, the union expressed concern that despite a slight drop in headline inflation from 15.93 per cent in May to 15.91 per cent in June, workers had seen no meaningful improvement in living conditions, noting that food inflation rose from 16.96 per cent to 17.52 per cent during the same period.
It called on the government to strengthen workers’ purchasing power through better pensions, affordable housing, improved transportation and stronger social protection, while ensuring the country’s new tax framework remains fair and transparent.
SSANU also condemned the increasing cases of kidnapping, banditry, insurgency and communal violence affecting schools, universities, highways and farming communities. While commending security agencies for rescuing abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, the union expressed concern that 42 children abducted in Mussa town, Borno State, have remained missing for over two months.
The union urged authorities to accord equal priority to all victims of insecurity, regardless of their location.
On state policing, SSANU backed ongoing constitutional efforts to decentralise policing but called for strong constitutional safeguards to prevent political abuse and intimidation of workers, journalists and trade unionists.
It also urged universities to strengthen campus security through improved perimeter fencing, surveillance systems, lighting, emergency communication facilities and closer collaboration with security agencies.
The union further supported genuine local government autonomy based on democratic elections, transparent financial management and accountability.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, SSANU called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and security agencies to ensure credible elections while protecting university staff participating in election duties.
It also condemned corruption, selective justice and the abuse of public institutions, urging anti-corruption agencies to operate independently and uphold the rule of law, while advocating fairness in public appointments, employment and resource distribution in line with the federal character principle.
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