The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has cautioned the Federal Government against what it described as divide-and-rule tactics in the ongoing negotiations with unions across tertiary institutions, warning that such an approach could further inflame tensions on campuses nationwide.

National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, voiced strong disappointment over the recent unveiling of the 2025 Federal Government–Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Agreement, branding it a “half-measure” that fails to address the broader welfare concerns of non-academic staff and risks deepening distrust within the university system.

Ibrahim lamented what he called years of lip service to university workers’ welfare, stressing that meaningful reform must go beyond selective agreements. According to him, staff across tertiary institutions deserve improved remuneration comparable to that of security agencies if Nigeria is to consistently produce quality graduates and sustain global competitiveness.

He urged the Federal Government to urgently prioritize workers’ welfare by upgrading dilapidated hostels and clinic facilities, while also fast-tracking comprehensive negotiations with SSANU to avert avoidable industrial disputes.

Beyond labour issues, the SSANU president criticized the prolonged handling of the Abuja–Lokoja Federal Highway, noting that the project has lingered for over two decades, causing untold hardship to commuters and host communities.

Ibrahim, however, commended the leadership of Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, praising ongoing efforts to stabilize the institution and improve academic standards despite prevailing challenges.

He concluded by calling on the government to adopt an inclusive, transparent negotiation framework that treats all university workers fairly, warning that anything short of this could undermine industrial harmony and the future of Nigeria’s higher education sector.