AfriPulse
The leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has threatened to shut down all public universities across the country.
The unions issued a fresh seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that the institutions would be locked up next week if longstanding agreements and promises made to them are not fulfilled.
The development adds to mounting tension in the education sector, as reports suggest that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are also weighing underground plans to embark on a nationwide strike.
In an official letter sent to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, on Monday, a copy of which was obtained by Daily Trust, SSANU and NASU members, under Joint Action Committee (JAC), premised their action on three major demands.
The non-teaching staff said they had started counting the 7-day ultimatum from today (Monday), and by implications, all its members may be directed to down tools next week Monday if the government fails to heed.
The letter was jointly signed by President of SSANU, Com. Mohammed Ibrahim and General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi.
The unions wondered why it was always difficult for the federal government to fulfill promises.
Both Ibrahim and Adeyemi listed non-payment of outstanding withheld salaries and 25/35% salary increments, renegotiation of year 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU agreement and “unjust” disbursement of N50 billion Earned Allowances as their major grouse.
The letter partly read, “The Honourable Minister of Education would recall that via a letter dated 18th June, 2025, the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU had drawn your kind attention to the need for an urgent intervention in outstanding labour matters affecting our members.
“Our letter led to the convening of a meeting by the Honourable Minister of Education with JAC of NASU and SSANU on 4th July, 2025 with a view to addressing the issues raised in our letter.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the issues raised in the letter centred on: Unjust Disbursement of N50Billion Earned Allowances; Non-Payment of Outstanding Withheld Salaries and 25/35% Salary Increments; and Renegotiation of Year 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU Agreements.
“The Honourable Minister would recall that at the 4th July, 2025 meeting to address the aforementioned issues, there was a resolution to the effect that a Tripartite Committee comprising representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission and JAC of NASU and SSANU would be constituted to resolve the impasse which had arisen due to the skewed distribution of the N50Billion Earned Allowances in which our members in the Universities were shortchanged, while those in the Inter-University Centres were completely shut out of the distribution.
“While there was no conclusion at the 4th July, 2025 meeting on the issue of payment of two months’ outstanding withheld salaries owed our members, you pledged to set machinery in motion to expedite action on the issue of payment of arrears of 25/35% salary increments owed our members.
“Sequel to the 4th July, 2025 meeting, there was a reminder letter dated 18th August, 2025, owing to the silence or deliberate decision by your office not to address issues affecting Non-Teaching staff in our Universities and Inter-University Centres.
“It is equally important to note that the renegotiation of Year 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU Agreements is being delayed.
“It is on record that Alhaji Yayale Ahmed led Renegotiation Committee inaugurated on 15th October, 2024 to review the 2009 Agreements with the University Based Unions only had inaugural meeting with JAC of NASU and SSANU on 10th December, 2024 and since then the Federal Government Team has gone into limbo with the Non-Teaching Staff Unions, whereas information at our disposal confirmed that the same Federal Government Team has already concluded renegotiation with our counterpart, the Academic Staff Union in the sector and at the verge of signing an agreement while the Federal Government Team has refused to engage the Non-Teaching Staff Unions and even sidelined us despite fulfilling all justifications including re- submission of our Memoranda of Demands.
“We brought this to your attention during our 4th July, 2025 meeting and you promised to intervene for the Committee to expedite action. Regrettably, we are yet to see progress.
“Despite our repeated efforts to draw your attention to address concerns affecting our members in the Universities and Inter- University Centres, there appears to be nothing positive forthcoming from your office.
“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 days effective from Monday, 15th September, 2025 to address our agitations, failing which members of NASU and SSANU would embark on a series of legitimate industrial actions including strikes to press home our demands.”
(DailyTrust)
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