FG releases eight months’ salary arrears to SSANU, averts strike
The Federal Government has released eight months’ salary arrears owed to members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), barely 24 hours after the union threatened an indefinite nationwide strike over unpaid entitlements.
SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim confirmed the development, saying the government acted shortly after the association issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding the settlement of outstanding payments and implementation of its 2026 agreement.
Ibrahim welcomed the intervention, describing it as evidence of the Federal Government’s responsiveness and the commitment of the Minister of Education to honouring agreements reached with university-based unions.
The union had threatened to shut down universities nationwide if the government failed to address its outstanding financial obligations within the stipulated period.
At its 56th National Executive Council meeting, held at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, SSANU demanded the immediate release of funds to affected universities and full payment of arrears arising from the 2026 Federal Government–SSANU Agreement.
The association said the agreement, which was formally signed on 29 June 2026, took effect retrospectively from 1 January 2026.
However, it expressed concern that implementation remained incomplete in several universities because of funding constraints and administrative delays.
SSANU warned that failure to meet its demands within 14 days would force members to embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike without further notice.
Following the government’s intervention, Ibrahim said the planned industrial action had been averted.
The development marks another significant turn in the prolonged dispute between the Federal Government and non-academic university workers over withheld salaries and outstanding entitlements.
In October 2024, SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike to demand payment of four months’ withheld salaries.
Both unions accused the government of discriminatory treatment after salaries withheld from members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were reportedly paid while non-academic workers remained unpaid.
Although the latest release has eased tensions, questions remain over the full implementation of the 2026 agreement across federal universities.