SSANU: University Staff Union Blasts FG Over Salary Delays—Demands Harmonized Payment Structure Now!

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has alleged that the federal government is treating them unfairly due to delays in salary payments, warning that ongoing disregard for agreed commitments could lead the union to pursue legal action.

The association revealed this in a communiqué released following its 51st National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Wudil, Kano State.

The statement, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was signed by its National President, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim.

Ibrahim described the delays in salary payments for university employees as discriminatory and urged the government to ensure consistent payment schedules across all federal and state institutions.

“This discriminatory behavior is both unjust and intolerable.

The union demands the swift harmonization of salary disbursements across all federal and state institutions to guarantee fairness and equity,” he stated.

SSANU also denounced the ongoing withholding of salaries owed to its members who took part in the 2022 nationwide strike. The union called for the federal government to show goodwill by settling the outstanding wages.

Ibrahim mentioned that the NEC, therefore, urged the federal government to promptly release the two months’ withheld salaries as a sign of good faith and dedication to restoring industrial peace within the university system.

The union further accused the government of repeatedly breaching negotiated agreements, including Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Memoranda of Action (MoAs), and other collective agreements that were negotiated with SSANU.

He emphasized that such agreements, which were made through structured dialogue and mutual consent, are binding and must be fully honored.

“The NEC warns that if this trend of neglect continues, the union will have no choice but to explore all lawful and appropriate methods to ensure compliance,” he added.

Unfair sharing of earned allowances
The union criticized the allocation of the N50 billion Earned Allowance, noting that only 20% was allocated to non-teaching staff unions, including SSANU, NASU, and NAAT, which violates an agreement made with the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in 2022.

“This distribution is unjust, discriminatory, and does not recognize the crucial role that SSANU members play in the successful operation of Nigerian universities.”

“It also breaches the MoU signed with the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU in August 2022,” they stated.

Ibrahim also voiced significant disappointment over the Federal Government’s Renegotiation Committee’s persistent silence and inaction regarding the 2009 FG/SSANU Agreement, among other matters affecting its members.

He noted that the recent incidents of mass violence in Benue, Plateau, and other states necessitate immediate attention from the government.

Despite its grievances, the union expressed its continued commitment to national progress and pledged to assist the government with professional contributions toward reforming Nigeria’s education sector.