The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a fresh strike notice to the Federal Government, warning of an indefinite nationwide industrial action if the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement is not concluded by April 30.
The union also dismissed reports suggesting that a 30 per cent allowance increase had been approved, describing the claim as misleading and a violation of due process.
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 insisted that negotiations with the government were still ongoing and far from being finalised.
Ibrahim disclosed that the union had held no fewer than seven meetings with the government’s negotiating team since October 2024, covering both financial and non-financial issues affecting members’ welfare. However, he expressed concern over what he described as attempts to misinform the public into believing that an agreement had already been reached.
He stressed that any claim of an approved allowance package undermines the integrity of the collective bargaining process, noting that no agreement can be considered valid until it is formally concluded and endorsed by all parties involved.
According to him, discussions remain in progress, and it is inappropriate for any individual or group to suggest that a final decision has been taken while negotiations are still underway.
SSANU reaffirmed its commitment to lawful engagement but warned that it would resist any attempt to impose decisions outside established negotiation frameworks.
The union, alongside the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), had earlier issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude negotiations before the end of April.
Reiterating that stance, Ibrahim said SSANU would mobilise its members to withdraw services across all public universities and inter-university centres—both federal and state-owned—if the deadline is not met. He added that mobilisation efforts are also being extended to polytechnics and colleges of education amid concerns over alleged attempts to divide tertiary institution workers.
Highlighting the role of non-academic staff, Ibrahim noted that SSANU members are responsible for critical administrative and support services, including admissions processing, results management, NYSC mobilisation, healthcare, security, and overall institutional administration.
He questioned what he termed the continued marginalisation of non-teaching staff despite their central role in sustaining the university system, and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene by ensuring that the concerns of university workers are addressed fairly.
Ibrahim maintained that SSANU members remain united and resolute, warning that the union would not accept any outcome that falls short of its negotiated expectations.