The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) was established at the Owerri Declaration in October 1993, led by Sir B.A.C. Onwurah (UNN) and other compatriots such as Comrades Dapo Oluge (UI), Barr. Senbanjo (UNILORIN), Barr. Sam Piwuna (UNIJOS), Mrs. Mustapha (ABU, Zaria), Barr. Odey (UNICAL), and Laz Igbokwe (UNN), to mention but a few. This group, composed of senior non-teaching staff from Nigerian universities and inter-university centers, broke away from the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes, and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), a body formed by the Federal Government for administrative purposes. Despite very meager resources, SSANU was sustained for about seven years (1993–2000) through the dedication of its founding members.
The Foundation President, as he was fondly called, together with his able compatriots and dedicated, selfless comrades across the branches nationwide, laid a solid foundation for the union, upon which subsequent vibrant leaders of the union were to build. After Sir Onwurah, Comrade (Barr.) Sam Piwuna of the University of Jos became National President in 2000, following an interim period during which the late Comrade (Barr.) John Odey served as Acting President from 1999 to 2000. It is on record that the 2009 SSANU/FGN agreement, the union’s first agreement with the Government, was achieved during the Sam Piwuna era, even though the union was yet to be officially registered at that time.
The golden era in SSANU’s history came when Comrade (Barr.) Promise A. K. Adewusi became National President in 2004 at the Port Harcourt National Delegates Conference (NDC). During Adewusi’s tenure, SSANU was formally registered as a Trade Union by the Registrar of Trade Unions in the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, receiving Certificate No. 0105 on 29th June 2005. This milestone was also gazetted in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 22 of 2005.
The SSANU Constitution was codified, and the union became affiliated with a trade center, first joining the Congress of Free Trade Unions (CFTU) in 2006. During this period, SSANU secured the position of 2nd Deputy President, showcasing its determination and strength during the fuel subsidy crisis. Following the merger of CFTU with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)—an initiative led by SSANU during its presidency of the CFTU—on 18th January 2009, SSANU officially affiliated with the NLC under Comrade President Adams Oshiomhole. Despite opposition from sister unions, this marked a historic achievement, as SSANU secured the prestigious position of Deputy President of the NLC, a role it held until the 2015 NLC National Delegates Conference (NDC). During this time, an official Secretariat was acquired, and the union hired its first set of employees, strengthening SSANU’s organizational structure.
A Conference Hall was built, and the SSANU website was launched, though it was short-lived. The secretariat was also computerized, marking a significant step towards modernization. Additionally, an NGO, the Senior Higher Academic Research Programme (SHARP), was established, attracting funding from reputable international donor agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Academy for Educational Development (AED).
Furthermore, the second agreement (the 2009 SSANU/FGN Agreement) was signed during the tenure of Comrade P.A.K. Adewusi. Despite any criticism, this agreement has greatly improved the welfare of union members. Its key achievements include raising the retirement age for SSANU members to 65 years, placing Registrars and Bursars on a consolidated salary structure, restoring salary parity across university workers (a point of contention among some detractors), and securing earned allowances, all of which were successfully negotiated and implemented.
At the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment for all senior non-teaching staff in Nigerian universities. Our philosophy is rooted in the principles of fairness, solidarity, and progress, ensuring that every member has a voice and that their rights and welfare are always protected.
Our mission is to build a vibrant and effective union that not only strives for continuous improvements in the welfare of its members but also plays a key role in the development of the education sector and the nation as a whole.
To deepen labor relations and enrich the procedures and processes aimed at enhancing the well-being and welfare of its members, as well as contributing to the general welfare of Nigerians and humanity as a whole.
We, the members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), desiring to live in unity, harmony, and progress as one social, united union, for the protection and defense of the interests of our members under the guidance of God, have come together for the following purposes:
To organize into a single and coherent trade union and serve as an umbrella organization for all Senior Administrative, Technical, Professional, and other Senior Non-Teaching Staff of all Nigerian Universities and inter-University Centres in Nigeria who elect to be members.
To regulate the relationship between each senior non-teaching staff and another, and between the employers and individual members of the Union.
To work for the establishment and the maintenance of equitable, reasonable, and proper hours of work, appropriate salaries and wages, as well as other conditions of service.
To establish and maintain a high standard of work ethics, discipline, and professional practice.
To work for the advancement of members of the Union by way of training, retraining, and further education.
To provide benefit and assistance (including financial support) to Union members under the conditions laid down in this Constitution.
To encourage members of the Union to participate actively in the decision-making process of the Union and to give support to other related activities of the University system and the Nation as a whole.
To promote, protect, and advance the economic, social, and cultural interests of the University system in Nigeria.
To motivate, coordinate, encourage, and unite all members for the upliftment of the standard of education within the University system in Nigeria.
To engage in such other lawful activities as are compatible with the Trade Union Laws and not inconsistent with trade union spirit and practice.
To promote and advance the economic, political, and social rights as well as the general welfare of the members of the Union.
To promote and sustain positive industrial relations practice in the Nigerian University System by strengthening collective bargaining between the employers and employees within the system.