The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal and State Governments to immediately release funds needed to implement the newly signed 2026 salary agreement for its members.
The demand was made in a communiqué issued after the union’s 55th National Executive Council meeting held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, from July 22 to 24.
Signed by the National President of SSANU, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, the communiqué described the agreement reached with the Federal Government on June 29 as a major breakthrough after years of negotiations.
According to the union, the agreement includes a 35 per cent salary increase under the Consolidated Non-Teaching Staff Salary Structure (CONTISS), improved earned allowances, better staff training opportunities, protection of non-teaching positions and equal career advancement for qualified staff up to CONTISS 15.
SSANU urged the government to release funds without delay to enable payment of the new salaries and outstanding arrears.
It also called for the immediate inauguration of the implementation monitoring committee provided for in the agreement to ensure that all parties comply with its terms.
The union warned university authorities against denying members their negotiated benefits or victimising workers because of their participation in lawful union activities.
It directed its branches to keep accurate membership records and report any cases of discrimination through the union’s structures.
While commending vice-chancellors and heads of institutions that have fully or partly paid outstanding salary arrears linked to the previous 25 and 35 per cent salary adjustments, SSANU criticised institutions yet to comply. It urged them to clear the arrears quickly to improve staff welfare and ease the impact of the current economic challenges.
The union also welcomed the Federal Government’s HOPE-EDU initiative and the 2026 Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) allocation of about ₦2.53 billion to each public university.
However, it stressed that TETFund support should only complement, not replace, the government’s responsibility to adequately fund public universities, including fulfilling its ₦1.3 trillion university revitalisation commitment.
SSANU further called for greater transparency in the management of education funds and urged increased investment in staff and student accommodation, laboratories, electricity, digital infrastructure, research and staff development.
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On the economy, the union noted that although headline inflation recorded a slight drop in June, rising food prices continue to make life difficult for workers. It urged the government to improve workers’ welfare through better pensions, affordable housing, reliable transportation and stronger social protection programmes.
The union also expressed concern over growing insecurity across the country, including kidnappings, banditry and attacks on schools and farming communities.
While commending security agencies for rescuing abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, it called for equal attention to the reported abduction of 42 children in Borno State who are still missing.
SSANU also backed the proposed establishment of state police, provided there are constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse. It further urged universities to strengthen campus security and supported genuine local government autonomy based on democratic elections, financial transparency and accountability.
