The Federal Government of Nigeria has released eight months of withheld salary arrears owed to members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), easing fears of a fresh disruption in the university system.
The payment came less than 48 hours after the union issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement. SSANU had demanded payment of outstanding Consolidated University Teaching and Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTTA) arrears dating back to January 1, 2026.
The union also asked the government to pay two months’ salaries withheld during its 2022 industrial action, as well as one-year arrears resulting from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.
Following its National Executive Council meeting at the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, SSANU warned that failure to meet its demands could lead to a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” without further notice. However, the government released the eight months’ arrears shortly after the ultimatum was made public.
SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, confirmed the development, saying affected workers would soon begin receiving payment alerts. He described the release as proof that constructive dialogue backed by timely government action could help preserve industrial peace and protect workers’ welfare. The union also commended the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, for intervening and following through on his commitment to facilitate the release of the funds.
Mohammed urged SSANU branches to work with their respective university managements to ensure the money was paid promptly and correctly. He also asked members to report any discrepancies or shortfalls. According to SSANU, Alausa had contacted its national president before the ultimatum was issued, informing him that the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation were processing the funds.
The union said the minister’s intervention and the subsequent payment represented a positive change from previous delays in implementing agreements reached with university-based unions. Despite the payment, SSANU said two months’ withheld salaries from the 2022 strike and arrears linked to the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases remained outstanding.
It described the unpaid sums as legitimate entitlements that should be settled without further delay. The union also urged state governments and governing councils of state-owned universities to fully implement the agreement and provide adequate funding, warning that selective or delayed compliance could trigger further tension within the university system.
SSANU said it remained committed to dialogue and industrial harmony but would use “all lawful and constitutional means” to defend the rights and welfare of its members where agreements were not properly implemented.
