FG Releases Eight Months’ Salary Arrears to SSANU Members, Averts Looming Industrial Action

The Federal Government has released eight months’ salary arrears owed to members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, in a move that has eased concerns over a possible disruption of academic and administrative activities across Nigerian universities. The development came less than 48 hours after SSANU issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement. The Union had warned that failure to address its demands within the stated period could lead to a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action. SSANU had demanded the immediate release of funds and full payment of outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the Consolidated University Teaching and Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure, CONTTA, calculated from the effective date of 1st January, 2026. The Union also reiterated its demand for the payment of the remaining two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action, as well as the one-year arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases. Confirming the release of the eight months’ arrears, the National President of SSANU, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, described the development as a positive outcome of constructive engagement between the Union and the Federal Government. He commended the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, for his swift intervention and commitment to ensuring that the funds were processed and released. According to reports, the Minister had earlier assured the Union that the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation were working on the release of the funds. Comrade Ibrahim noted that the development shows that dialogue, when backed by sincerity and prompt action, can promote industrial peace, protect workers’ welfare and prevent avoidable disruption in the university system. He directed SSANU members across branches to liaise with their respective university managements to ensure prompt, accurate and transparent payment of the released arrears. Members were also advised to report any shortfall, delay or irregularity in the payment process to the National Leadership of the Union. While welcoming the release of the eight months’ arrears, SSANU maintained that the Federal Government must still address other outstanding obligations, particularly the two months’ withheld salaries from the 2022 industrial action and the one-year arrears linked to the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases. The Union stressed that these outstanding payments are legitimate entitlements of members and should not be subjected to further delay. SSANU also called on State Governments and Governing Councils of state-owned universities to ensure full, equitable and properly funded implementation of agreements reached with university workers. The Union warned that selective or delayed implementation could create fresh tension in the university system. The Union reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement, industrial peace and the stability of Nigerian universities. However, it also restated that it would continue to deploy all lawful and constitutional means to protect the rights, welfare and professional advancement of its members wherever agreements are not faithfully implemented. The release of the eight months’ arrears represents an important step towards restoring confidence in the collective bargaining process and demonstrates that timely government action can produce meaningful outcomes for workers, students and the wider university system.