SSANU Issues April 30 Ultimatum to Federal Government Over Unpaid Salaries and Allowances
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has given the Federal Government until April 30, 2026, to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and address outstanding salary and allowance issues, or face an indefinite nationwide strike.
The union issued the one-month ultimatum following its 54th National Executive Council meeting held at Ekiti State University. The decision was contained in a communiqué released at the end of the meeting.
Main Concerns Raised by SSANU
SSANU expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the ongoing renegotiation between the Federal Government and non-teaching staff unions. The union also highlighted persistent delays in salary payments and the non-release of approved earned allowances in some federal and state universities.
Other issues include withheld entitlements and the handling of the N50 billion approved in 2022 for earned allowances, which the union said has not been disbursed fairly or completely.
The union demanded:
– Immediate settlement of all outstanding salary-related matters
– Establishment of a reliable and unified salary payment structure
– Fair and transparent conclusion of the renegotiation process
The Ultimatum
In clear terms, SSANU stated that it is giving the Federal Government from April 1, 2026, to April 30, 2026, to finalise and sign the renegotiated agreement.
Should the government fail to meet this deadline, SSANU said it will work with its partner in the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU to commence an indefinite, comprehensive and total industrial action across public universities.
Current Situation
As of April 3, 2026, there has been no official response from the Federal Government or the Ministry of Education to the ultimatum. The threat of strike comes at a time when many universities are already dealing with various challenges, including security concerns in some parts of the country.
SSANU noted that its members have shown patience despite the hardship caused by the delays, but warned that there will be no reversal of the decision if the demands are not met by the end of the month.
Key Points
– SSANU issued a final ultimatum to the Federal Government from April 1 to April 30, 2026.
– The union is demanding conclusion and signing of the renegotiated 2009 agreement.
– Major issues include delayed salaries, withheld entitlements and fair disbursement of earned allowances.
– Failure to meet the deadline may lead to an indefinite strike by SSANU and NASU under their Joint Action Committee.
– The ultimatum was issued after the union’s National Executive Council meeting at Ekiti State University.
Lecturers under ASUU are not directly involved in this particular ultimatum, as SSANU represents senior non-teaching staff in the universities.
Students, parents and university management are watching developments closely as the April 30 deadline approaches. Any industrial action by the non-teaching unions could disrupt administrative services, security and other support functions on campuses.