The Nigerian government attempted to avert a university strike, releasing withheld salaries

The Federal Government has bowed to pressure, and taken action to prevent the closure of universities across the country after members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) gave the federal government a two-week ultimatum.

The government is said to have released the salaries of SSANU members which were cut because they threatened to paralyze academic activities on various campuses.

The government, which was given a 14-day ultimatum on the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement, granted an eight-month exemption from salary arrears owed to workers.

SSANU has demanded immediate release of funds and full payment of arrears of the Consolidated Salary Structure of Teaching Universities and Tertiary Institutions (CONTTA) calculated from January 1, 2026.

The demands were contained in a communiqué issued after the 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the weekend.

The union has warned that the failure of the Federal Government to meet its demands within 14 days will force the union to proceed with “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” without further notice.

The ultimatum also demands payment of two months’ salaries cut during the 2022 industrial action and one year’s arrears due to salary increases of 25 percent and 35 percent.

However, less than 48 hours after the union announced its founding, the Federal Government waived the eight-month arrears, to avoid disruption to academic activities in Nigerian universities.

Confirming the release of eight months of arrears, SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, told journalists that his members would soon start receiving warnings.

He described this development as a demonstration that constructive engagement, when accompanied by swift action, can protect industrial harmony and worker welfare.

The union leaders particularly praised the efforts of Education Minister Tunji Alausa for his intervention and keeping his promise to facilitate the disbursement of funds.

Mohammed advised union members in their various branches to work closely with their university management to ensure prompt and expedient payment and report back any shortfalls.

Before the ultimatum was issued, the minister reportedly contacted SSANU national president, Ibrahim, to confirm that the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation were processing the funds for disbursement.

SSANU said the minister’s proactive engagement, followed by the release of arrears, represented a commendable change from the usual delays in implementing negotiated agreements.

But unions urge the Federal Government to maintain this responsive approach in resolving all remaining rights for university workers.

Although the eight-month arrears have been waived, SSANU stated that the Federal Government still has to pay off the two-month salary arrears cut during the 2022 strike and the one-year arrears of the 25 percent and 35 percent salary increases.

The union described the obligation as a legitimate right that should not be delayed further.

The NEC has also called on state governments and governing boards of state-owned universities to ensure full, fair and well-funded implementation of the agreement, warning that selective or delayed implementation could fuel unrest within the university system.

While welcoming the government’s actions, SSANU reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement and industrial peace.

However, they insist that they will use all legal and constitutional means to protect the rights, welfare and professional advancement of their members if the agreement is not properly implemented.

The union said the speedy resolution of arrears has strengthened the belief that constructive engagement between government and university-based unions can deliver tangible results for workers, students and the wider Nigerian University System.