Two major university unions, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions (NASU), have given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to resolve outstanding welfare issues or face a nationwide strike.
In a joint letter signed by SSANU President, Muhammed Ibrahim, the unions accused the government of unfair treatment.
“The issues raised centred on the unjust disbursement of N50bn earned allowances, non-payment of outstanding withheld salaries and 25/35 per cent salary increments, and the stalled renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU agreements,” the unions said.
The unions recalled that after a meeting with the Minister of Education on July 4, 2025, a Tripartite Committee was set up to address complaints about the distribution of earned allowances. However, they said the committee had not made progress, and other promises remained unfulfilled.
“Despite our reminder letter dated August 18, 2025, nothing has been done,” they added.
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They also accused the government of sidelining them in the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, even though the same government team had already concluded talks with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Frustrated by the delays, the unions warned that industrial action was imminent.
“In light of the persistent unresolved issues, and the apparent lack of responsiveness from the government, we are compelled to serve a formal notice of seven days effective from Monday, 15th September, 2025, failing which members of NASU and SSANU would embark on a series of legitimate industrial actions including strikes,” the letter read.
Last week, Ibrahim warned that the strike could be crippling.
“Ours will not be the ‘mother of all strikes,’ it will be the grandfather of all strikes, because when SSANU or NASU strikes, you know what it means. We must take our destinies in our hands,” he said.
He also lamented the worsening conditions of workers.
“The conditions of service of university workers are the worst hit financially, economically and psychologically,” he added.
SSANU and NASU, like ASUU, have been in long-running disputes with the Federal Government over welfare and service conditions in Nigerian universities.