The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has issued the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to release funds for the implementation of the 2026 agreement and pay outstanding salary arrears.
The union warned that failure to meet the demand within the stipulated period could lead to a shutdown of universities nationwide.
The decision was taken at SSANU’s 56th National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the weekend.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by its National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, the union said the outstanding arrears were legitimate financial entitlements of affected members and must be paid in full without further delay.
SSANU expressed concern that implementation of the 2026 Federal Government-SSANU Agreement, which took effect from January 1, 2026, despite being formally signed on June 29, remains incomplete and uneven across universities due to funding and administrative challenges.
The union particularly demanded the immediate release and payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the 2026 CONTTA salary structure, calculated from the effective date of January 1, 2026.
It also noted that some universities had implemented the salary structure using internally generated funds, without direct financial backing from the Federal Government.
SSANU therefore urged vice-chancellors and governing councils of universities yet to implement the financial and non-financial components of the agreement to take steps towards its implementation in the interest of staff welfare and industrial harmony.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has assured the union that efforts are underway to release the funds by next week at the latest.
SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, said the assurance was given by the minister, who stated that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation was working to ensure the release of the funds.
He added that honouring the commitment before the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum would avert the planned industrial action.
