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The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has suspended its two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government following the release of funds for the payment of eight months’ arrears of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure owed to its members.
The union announced the suspension in a notice signed by its National President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, explaining that the decision followed the government’s approval and release of the funds on October 7, 2026.
The ultimatum, which commenced on October 5, was intended to press the government to address outstanding salary-related obligations affecting non-teaching staff in Nigerian universities.
SSANU said its National Administrative Committee (NAC), acting on behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC), resolved to suspend the planned industrial action in recognition of the government’s intervention and to sustain industrial harmony in the university system.
The union, however, stressed that the release of the funds did not resolve all the outstanding financial issues affecting its members, urging the Federal Government to take further steps to settle other unpaid entitlements.
SSANU lists outstanding financial demands
In the notice, the union called on the Federal Government to release and pay one year of outstanding arrears relating to the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary awards approved in 2023.
It also demanded payment of two months’ salaries withheld from its members in 2022, describing the outstanding obligations as issues requiring urgent attention.
SSANU said the government should reciprocate the union’s decision to suspend the ultimatum by demonstrating a similar commitment to resolving the remaining demands.
The union maintained that the payment of the eight months’ salary arrears was a positive development but insisted that its members’ welfare concerns would remain until the other outstanding obligations were addressed.
According to the notice, the union’s decision was guided by the need to promote constructive engagement with the government while protecting the legitimate interests of university workers.
State governments urged to implement agreement
Beyond the Federal Government, SSANU called on state governments that had yet to implement the 2026 agreement to do so and settle outstanding arrears owed to workers in state-owned universities.
The union said the welfare of non-teaching staff across both federal and state institutions required attention, stressing that unresolved financial obligations could undermine efforts to maintain industrial peace.
It urged the relevant authorities to honour their commitments and take concrete steps to address the concerns raised by university workers.
SSANU also called on its members to communicate the union’s position and continue engaging relevant stakeholders in efforts to preserve stability across the country’s universities.
Union maintains commitment to dialogue
Explaining its decision, SSANU said the NAC, acting on behalf of the NEC, had considered the government’s release of funds a positive development that warranted suspending the intended industrial action.
The notice stated, “In recognition of this positive development and mutual understanding and good faith, the NAC, on behalf of NEC, has resolved to suspend the intended industrial action.”
The union added that it remained committed to dialogue but expected the Federal Government to demonstrate goodwill by addressing all outstanding issues affecting its members.
It said the suspension was intended to support industrial harmony rather than signal the abandonment of its demands.
SSANU maintained that resolving the outstanding salary awards, withheld salaries and other financial obligations remained essential to improving staff welfare and preventing further disputes in federal and state universities.
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