Varsity Workers Warn Against Selective Implementation Of 2026 Agreement

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has warned the federal government that failure to fully implement the 2026 agreement reached with the union could trigger renewed industrial tension across the nation’s universities.

The warning came as SSANU national president, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, accused some universities of delaying or incompletely implementing provisions of the agreement, despite its effective date of January 1, 2026.

Ibrahim spoke while presenting his state of the union address at the 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association, where he demanded immediate release of funds to affected universities and inter-university centres for the payment of outstanding entitlements.

The 2026 Federal Government/SSANU Agreement was formally signed on June 29, 2026, with implementation commencing in some universities in July and August. However, the union said financial obligations arising from its January 1 effective date remained outstanding.

Ibrahim said SSANU would not accept a situation in which members received only part of the benefits negotiated under the agreement, warning that selective implementation, marginalisation and delays could undermine industrial harmony in the university system.

He directed SSANU branches and zones to closely monitor implementation, maintain accurate membership records and document cases of non-compliance, victimisation or denial of negotiated benefits for transmission to the national secretariat.

The union president stressed that SSANU’s preference for dialogue with government should not be interpreted as unwillingness to defend its members when agreements are breached.

He said the union would continue to engage the Federal and State Governments, university authorities and relevant agencies, but would resort to lawful and constitutional measures where implementation was deliberately frustrated or NEC resolutions ignored.

Ibrahim warned that the failure to honour agreements freely entered into could erode trust between government and organised labour and create conditions for renewed disputes in the university system.

He said, “SSANU will not accept unnecessary delays, selective implementation, marginalisation or any attempt to diminish the financial and non-financial provisions of the Agreement.

Our commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement should not be mistaken for weakness.

Where implementation is deliberately frustrated or the decisions of NEC are ignored, the union reserves the right to take all lawful and constitutional steps necessary to defend the interests of its members.

Failure to honour agreements weakens trust, undermines industrial harmony and creates avoidable tension within the university system.”

The union also raised concerns over the uneven implementation of the agreement in state-owned universities, citing developments in Ondo, Delta and Kaduna states.

According to SSANU, some institutions in the affected states are still dealing with disputes involving salary structures, allowances and the broader application of agreed benefits.

The union consequently called on state governments and university authorities to honour the agreement fully and provide the necessary funding, insisting that its members must receive fair and consistent treatment across the university system.

SSANU also declared that it would resist victimisation of members arising from lawful union activities.

Ibrahim listed punitive postings, delayed promotions, harassment, discriminatory treatment and denial of negotiated benefits among practices that would not be tolerated, urging branches to document and report such cases through established union channels.

“Government must therefore understand that sustained industrial peace depends on good faith, timely implementation of agreements and prompt resolution of legitimate grievances,” he added.

The union also opposed any attempt to make virtual accreditation a substitute for physical inspection of universities, warning that accreditation must involve direct verification of laboratories, workshops, libraries, equipment, staffing and teaching facilities.

SSANU said digital technology could improve documentation, transparency and continuous monitoring, but should complement rather than replace physical assessment, particularly for professional and practically oriented programmes.

On internal administration, the union said it was strengthening its digital capacity through the SSANU Management Information System (SSANU-MIS), designed to improve membership verification, records management and access to union services.

Ibrahim also called for stronger financial discipline within the union, urging branches to ensure prompt remittance of check-off dues and proper financial record-keeping.