The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal Government to immediately implement the recently signed 35 percent salary review for university workers, as well as, release funds for the payment of all outstanding arrears.
He warned that any delay could undermine the gains of the landmark agreement reached after years of negotiations.
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, where leaders of the union reviewed developments in the education sector and the state of the nation.
In a communiqué signed by its national president, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, SSANU described the signing of the 2026 Federal Government/SSANU Agreement on June 29 as ‘a landmark achievement’ that marked the successful conclusion of years of negotiations and collective struggle by non-teaching university workers.
The union noted that the agreement provides for a 35 percent upward review of emoluments through the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), improved Earned Allowances, enhanced staff training and development, protection of non-teaching positions and equal career progression opportunities for qualified degree holders up to CONTISS 15.
While commending the National Universities Commission (NUC) for forwarding the signed agreement to public universities and inter-university centres, as well as the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for issuing the implementation circular, SSANU insisted that the agreement must now move beyond paperwork to full implementation.
‘Council hereby urges 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 communiqué stated.
The union further stressed that implementation of the agreement should be ‘prompt, full and without encroachment or discrimination,’ calling for the immediate activation of the agreement’s Implementation Monitoring Committee to ensure compliance and promptly address any violations.
SSANU also issued a strong warning against any attempt by university authorities to punish workers for participating in legitimate union activities.
According to the union, ‘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 maintained that only constitutionally recognised members of SSANU are entitled to enjoy the negotiated benefits under the agreement and directed all branches to maintain accurate membership records while reporting cases of non-compliance, marginalisation or victimisation through the appropriate union structures.
On the outstanding 12-month arrears arising from the earlier 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase approved for tertiary institution workers, SSANU commended Vice-Chancellors and heads of institutions that had fully or partially paid the arrears.
However, it expressed displeasure with institutions yet to implement the payment, urging them to do so without further delay to improve staff morale and cushion the effects of the prevailing economic hardship.
Beyond salaries, the union raised concerns over the country’s economic situation, noting that despite the reported decline in headline inflation from 15.93 per cent in May to 15.91 per cent in June 2026, workers had experienced no meaningful relief as food inflation rose from 16.96 per cent to 17.52 per cent.
‘The marginal decline in headline inflation has not translated into visible relief for workers,’ the Council observed, urging government to restore workers’ purchasing power through improved pensions, affordable housing, efficient transportation and stronger social protection programmes.
SSANU also welcomed the HOPE-EDU programme and the 2026 TETFund intervention of about ?2.53 billion for each public university but emphasised that TETFund interventions should complement not replace adequate government funding of public universities.
The union renewed its call for the fulfilment of the Federal Government’s ?1.3 trillion university revitalisation commitment and urged greater investment in staff and students’ accommodation, electricity supply, laboratories, research, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and staff development.
On national security, the Council condemned the rising wave of kidnapping, banditry, insurgency and communal violence across the country. While commending security agencies for rescuing abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, SSANU expressed concern that 42 children reportedly abducted in Mussa town, Borno State, had remained in captivity for over two months.
‘The life of every Nigerian citizen has equal value,’ the union declared, calling on government to demonstrate equal urgency in responding to security challenges in every part of the country.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, SSANU called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and security agencies to conduct transparent, credible and peaceful elections while ensuring that university staff engaged for electoral duties are adequately protected from political intimidation and provided with appropriate security and welfare.
Reaffirming its commitment to industrial harmony and constructive engagement, the union pledged to continue monitoring the implementation of the 2026 agreement while working with government and other stakeholders to advance the welfare of university workers and promote sustainable development in Nigeria.