Varsity Workers Demand Immediate Payment Of Agreement Benefits

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has asked the federal and state governments to urgently release funds for the full implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement and the payment of outstanding salary arrears to its members.

The union made the demand at the end of its 55th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi State.

The NEC commended the signing of the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement on June 29, describing it as a landmark achievement that ended years of renegotiation and collective struggle.

According to the communiqué signed by SSANU national president, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, the agreement provided for a 35 per cent upward review of emoluments through the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), improved earned allowances, staff training and development, protection of non-teaching positions and equal career progression opportunities for qualified degree holders up to CONTISS 15.

The union urged the federal and state governments to release funds for the implementation of the agreement and payment of arrears without further delay.

It also demanded the immediate activation of the implementation monitoring committee established under the agreement to ensure compliance and address violations.

The communique reads in parts, “We urge the federal and state governments to urgently release the funds for the implementation and payment of arrears of the approved review to our members without further delay.

The implementation of the agreement must be done promptly, fully and without encroachment and discrimination.”

NEC seriously warned against the denial of negotiated benefits, punitive postings, delayed promotions, harassment or any form of victimisation arising from members’ participation in lawful union activities.

The council stressed the need for lasting peace in the university system, respect for collective bargaining, faithful implementation of agreements, adequate funding of education and responsible leadership.

SSANU also expressed concern over the failure of some universities and inter-university centres to pay outstanding arrears of the approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases, urging vice-chancellors and heads of institutions yet to comply to do so immediately.

On university funding, the union welcomed the HOPE-EDU programme and the 2026 TETFund intervention of about N2.53 billion for each public university. However, it stressed that TETFund interventions should complement rather than replace adequate government funding, regular budgetary releases and the fulfilment of the N1.3 trillion public university revitalisation commitment.

It further expressed concern over the rising cost of living, noting that the marginal decline in headline inflation had not translated into meaningful relief for workers, particularly as food inflation increased from 16.96 per cent in May to 17.52 per cent in June 2026.

The union called for measures to restore workers’ purchasing power, improve pensions, expand affordable housing, strengthen social protection and ensure a fair and transparent tax framework.

On security, SSANU condemned kidnapping, banditry, insurgency and communal violence threatening schools, universities, highways and farming communities.

The council also demanded equal urgency and support for victims of insecurity across the country, expressing concern over reports that 42 children abducted in Mussa town, Borno State, remained missing more than two months after their abduction.