The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a fresh warning to the Federal Government, threatening an indefinite nationwide strike if ongoing negotiations over the 2009 agreement are not concluded by the end of April.
The union made its position known in a communiqué released after its Special National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on April 18 in Abuja and signed by its National President, Mohammed Ibrahim.
SSANU dismissed reports claiming that a 30 per cent allowance increase had been approved, describing such information as misleading and capable of undermining the ongoing negotiation process.
According to the union, talks with the Federal Government are still ongoing and have not reached any final agreement, despite several rounds of discussions held since October 2024.
Ibrahim explained that at least seven meetings have been held between SSANU and the government’s negotiating team, covering both financial and non-financial issues affecting members’ welfare and working conditions.
He expressed concern over what he described as attempts to misinform the public and create the impression that negotiations had already been concluded.
The SSANU president stressed that no agreement can be considered valid unless it is formally concluded and signed by both parties through proper collective bargaining procedures.
He also criticised the circulation of information suggesting approval of allowances, saying it was inappropriate and capable of distorting the negotiation process.
Reaffirming the union’s position, Ibrahim said SSANU remains committed to lawful and structured engagement but will resist any attempt to impose decisions outside agreed procedures.
As part of resolutions reached by the union, SSANU restated the 30-day ultimatum earlier issued alongside the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), demanding that negotiations be concluded before the end of April.
The union warned that failure to meet the deadline would lead to a total withdrawal of services across all federal and state-owned universities, as well as inter-university centres nationwide.
It further noted that mobilisation has been extended to polytechnics and colleges of education, citing concerns over alleged attempts to divide tertiary institution workers.
SSANU also highlighted the key roles played by its members in university administration, including admissions processing, examinations, NYSC mobilisation, healthcare services, security, and general institutional management.
The union questioned what it described as the continued neglect of non-teaching staff, insisting that they remain central to the smooth functioning of the university system.
Ibrahim called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the matter, urging government authorities to address the demands of university workers and ensure fairness in the ongoing process.
He maintained that SSANU members remain united and resolute, warning that they would not accept any outcome that falls short of what is mutually agreed upon in the negotiations.
