Table of Contents
- Deadline for Renegotiation
- Government Commitment Issues
- Earned Allowances
- Potential Industrial Action
- Security Concerns
- Rejection of PPP Proposal
- Infrastructure Issues
- Wage Review Demand
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has given the Federal Government a deadline of December 31, 2025, to finalize its ongoing negotiations with the union. They have warned that if the discussions remain unresolved, universities will face indefinite closure starting January 2026.
In a communiqué released on Monday following its 53rd National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the University of Jos, and signed by its President, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, SSANU expressed that the government has not demonstrated a commitment to addressing the concerns of non-teaching staff.
The union accused the government of excluding its members from the distribution of Earned Allowances and the negotiation process.
SSANU insisted that the N50 billion agreed upon in the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) be disbursed immediately, and that Inter-University Centres and research institutes previously excluded from payments be included in the next allocation.
They cautioned that a failure to reach a credible agreement by the end of December would lead to “total and comprehensive” industrial action.
The union also expressed alarm over the increasing number of school kidnappings, stating that the recent abductions in Kebbi and Niger States indicate a worsening security situation around educational institutions.
SSANU urged the government to enhance campus security through modern surveillance systems, improved perimeter protection, and better intelligence gathering.
The union rejected the Federal Ministry of Education’s proposal to implement Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements for municipal services in universities, citing that previous PPP models in other sectors have resulted in job losses and deteriorating working conditions.
They emphasized that no staff member should lose their job or experience a downgrade under any such arrangement.
The communiqué also pointed out the declining state of infrastructure in universities, mentioning issues such as unreliable electricity, faulty water systems, dilapidated hostels, outdated laboratories, and inadequate security structures.
SSANU called for consistent funding, timely releases, and stricter monitoring of resources.
The union stated that rising inflation and fuel costs have exacerbated the difficulties faced by university workers and demanded an urgent review of wages in accordance with current economic conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline given by SSANU for the government to conclude negotiations?
SSANU has set a deadline of December 31, 2025, for the Federal Government to finalize its negotiations.
What actions will SSANU take if negotiations are not resolved?
If the negotiations remain unresolved, SSANU has warned that universities will be shut down indefinitely starting January 2026.
What are the main concerns raised by SSANU?
SSANU has raised concerns regarding the government's commitment to issues affecting non-teaching staff, the rising insecurity due to school kidnappings, and the deteriorating infrastructure in universities.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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