The Federal Government has released eight months’ salary arrears owed members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), averting an imminent strike by the union.
SSANU President, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
The union had issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding payment of outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement, warning that failure to meet its demands would lead to a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action”.
Ibrahim commended the Federal Government for responding to the demand, saying the payment would help sustain industrial harmony in the nation’s universities.
He also commended the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, for his intervention in securing the release of the arrears.
“This is a demonstration that constructive engagement, when matched with prompt action, can protect industrial harmony and workers’ welfare,” Ibrahim said.
He urged SSANU members to liaise with their university managements to ensure prompt and judicious payment of the released funds and report any shortfall or irregularity to the union.
Ibrahim, however, said the government still owed members two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action, as well as one-year arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.
“These are legitimate entitlements of our members and should not be subjected to further delay,” he said.
He also urged state governments and governing councils of state-owned universities to ensure full and properly funded implementation of agreements reached with university-based unions.
Ibrahim said selective or delayed implementation could trigger fresh tensions and undermine industrial harmony in the university system.
He reaffirmed SSANU’s commitment to constructive engagement and industrial peace, while insisting that the union would use lawful means to protect the rights and welfare of its members.
