The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over unresolved issues affecting non-academic staff in universities.
In a letter dated September 12, 2025, the two unions condemned what they described as the “unjust” disbursement of earned allowances to university staff, the non-payment of outstanding allowances, and other unresolved matters.
The letter, signed by SSANU President Muhammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi, reminded the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, of an earlier letter sent on June 18, 2025, by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU. The unions stressed the urgent need for government intervention in outstanding labor disputes.
According to the 9am News report, this earlier petition prompted the Minister to convene a meeting with the JAC on July 4, 2025, aimed at addressing the grievances. However, the unions lamented that many of the promises made during that meeting remain unfulfilled.
The unions outlined the core issues as:
- Unjust disbursement of N50 billion earned allowances, which excluded members in Inter-University Centres.
- Non-payment of withheld salaries and arrears of 25/35% salary increments.
- Delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN-NASU/SSANU agreement.
The statement noted that at the July 4 meeting, a resolution was reached to establish a tripartite committee comprising the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, and representatives of NASU and SSANU. The committee was expected to resolve the dispute over the allowances.
However, despite promises from the Minister to fast-track payment of withheld salaries and arrears, the unions said no progress had been made. They also raised concerns that while the government has concluded renegotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), non-teaching staff unions have been sidelined.
The unions recalled sending another reminder letter on August 18, 2025, but said the government has failed to respond positively.
“In light of the persistent unresolved issues, and the apparent lack of responsiveness from the government to our legitimate concerns, we are compelled to serve a formal notice of seven (7) days effective from Monday, September 15, 2025,” the unions said. “Failing which, members of NASU and SSANU will embark on a series of legitimate industrial actions, including strikes, to press home our demands.”
This ultimatum raises fears of a fresh disruption in Nigerian universities if the government does not meet the unions’ demands within the stipulated time.
Stay tuned to 9am News Nigeria for more Breaking News, Business News, Sports updates And Entertainment Gists.
