By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government over issues pertaining to non-academic staff of universities.
The two unions, in a letter dated Monday, decried the “unjust” disbursement of earned allowances to university staff, non-payment of outstanding allowances, among other issues.
In the letter, which was signed by the president of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, he reminded the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, of a letter dated June 18, 2025, in which the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU had drawn his attention to the need for an urgent intervention in outstanding labour matters affecting their members.
The union noted that their letter led to the convening of a meeting by the Minister with JAC of NASU and SSANU on 4th July, 2025, with a view to addressing the issues raised in the letter.
The letter partly read, “For the avoidance of doubt, the issues raised in the letter centred on: Unjust Disbursement of N50Billion Earned Allowances; Non-Payment of Outstanding Withheld Salaries and 25/35% Salary Increments; and Renegotiation of Year 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU Agreements.”
Speaking further, the unions recalled that the meeting with the minister led to a resolution whereby a Tripartite Committee comprising representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission and JAC of NASU and SSANU would be constituted to resolve the impasse which had arisen due to the, “skewed distribution of the N50Billion Earned Allowances in which our members in the Universities were shortchanged, while those in the Inter-University Centres were completely shut out of the distribution.”
“While there was no conclusion at the 4th July, 2025 meeting on the issue of payment of two months’ outstanding withheld salaries owed our members, you pledged to set machinery in motion to expedite action on the issue of payment of arrears of 25/35% salary increments owed our members.
“Sequel to the 4th July, 2025 meeting, there was a reminder letter dated 18th August, 2025, owing to the silence or deliberate decision by your office not to address issues affecting Non-Teaching staff in our Universities and Inter-University Centres.
“It is equally important to note that the renegotiation of Year 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU Agreements is being delayed. It is on record that Alhaji Yayale Ahmed led Renegotiation Committee inaugurated on 15th October, 2024 to review the 2009 Agreements with the University Based Unions only had inaugural meeting with JAC of NASU and SSANU on 10th December, 2024 and since then the Federal Government Team has gone into limbo with the Non-Teaching Staff Unions, whereas information at our disposal confirmed that the same Federal Government Team has already concluded renegotiation with our counterpart, the Academic Staff Union in the sector and at the verge of signing an agreement while the Federal Government Team has refused to engage the Non-Teaching Staff Unions and even sidelined us despite fulfilling all justifications including re- submission of our Memoranda of Demands.
“We brought this to your attention during our 4th July, 2025, meeting, and you promised to intervene for the Committee to expedite action. Regrettably, we have yet to see progress. Despite our repeated efforts to draw your attention to address concerns affecting our members in the Universities and inter-university centres, there appears to be nothing positive forthcoming from your office.
“In light of the persistent unresolved issues, and the apparent lack of responsiveness from the Government to our legitimate concerns, we are compelled to serve a formal notice of seven (7) days effective from Monday, 15th September, 2025 to address our agitations, failing which members of NASU and SSANU would embark on a series of legitimate industrial actions including strikes to press home our demands.”
Last week, Punch Online reported that SSANU’s president, Ibrahim, accused the government of being insincere with the union.
He warned that the strike would be total, indefinite and absolute if the government fails to address their demands.
“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,” Ibrahim said.
The SSANU chief lamented the conditions of service of university workers, saying they are the worst hit financially, economically and psychologically.
Just like the Academic Staff Union of Universities, SSANU and NASU have also been at loggerheads with the Federal Government over matters related to staff welfare.