The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued the Federal Government a fresh 14-day ultimatum to pay outstanding arrears owed its members under the 2026 agreement with the government, warning that failure to do so could trigger an indefinite strike.
SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja while presenting the resolutions of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Federal University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the weekend.
Ibrahim said that although the 2026 agreement clearly outlined modalities for resolving the lingering issues, implementation of payments had been inconsistent across universities.
He said the Federal Government must complete the payment of all outstanding arrears or face industrial action.
The fresh ultimatum followed a warning issued by the union last Thursday over what it described as delays, selective implementation and marginalisation in the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement.
The union had warned that it “will not accept unnecessary delays, selective implementation, marginalisation or any attempt to diminish the financial and non-financial provisions of the Agreement.”
Delivering the State of the Union Address at SSANU’s 56th National Executive Council meeting at the University of Uyo, Ibrahim said implementation of the agreement had “commenced in some universities” but remained incomplete in others due to “funding and administrative challenges.”
He insisted that the 2026 agreement and resolutions of the NEC must translate into tangible benefits for members.
“Agreements and NEC resolutions must translate into concrete action and measurable benefits for our members,” he said.
Ibrahim directed SSANU branches and zones to continue monitoring implementation, maintain accurate and verifiable membership records, document cases of non-compliance or victimisation and submit timely reports to the national secretariat.
While reaffirming the union’s commitment to dialogue, he warned that SSANU would take lawful steps to protect its members’ interests if implementation continued to be frustrated.
“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,” he said.
On workers’ welfare, Ibrahim said the 2026 agreement took effect on January 1, 2026, although it was formally signed on June 29, 2026, and stressed that financial obligations arising from the effective date remained outstanding.
“We therefore call on the Federal Government to release the necessary funds to all affected universities and Inter-University Centres to enable full implementation of the Agreement and the payment of all accrued arrears from 1st January 2026,” he said.
He added that implementation could not be considered complete while legitimate arrears remained unpaid.
Beyond salaries, Ibrahim identified earned allowances, promotions, pensions, career progression, staff development and improved conditions of service as continuing priorities for the union.
SSANU rejects King’s College concession
Meanwhile, SSANU rejected plans to concession King’s College, Lagos, describing the development as a matter of concern to the union.
The rejection followed an announcement by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, in August that the 117-year-old institution, established in 1909 by the colonial government, had been transferred to its Old Boys Association under a 35-year concession arrangement.
The proposed concession has raised questions over the future ownership and management of the Lagos-based institution.
