The Sokoto State University chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has begun a five-working-day warning strike over outstanding salary-related entitlements, following the state government’s reported refusal to pay arrears arising from a 25 percent salary increment and its proposal to defer implementation of a separate 35 percent allowance until January 2027.
Key Highlights
- SSANU at Sokoto State University began a five-working-day warning strike on Monday, November 2, 2026.
- The government reportedly said it would not pay arrears from the 25 percent salary increment.
- It proposed starting the 35 percent consolidated non-teaching tools allowance in January 2027, subject to budget.
- The strike follows the expiry of a 14-working-day ultimatum issued on October 14.
- The union threatens an indefinite strike and appeals to Governor Ahmed Aliyu to intervene.
The industrial action, which commenced on Monday, November 2, 2026, follows a disagreement between the union and the Sokoto State government over the payment and implementation of benefits demanded by non-teaching staff of the university.
The union’s grievances include outstanding arrears from the 25 percent salary increment, the 35 percent consolidated non-teaching tools allowance, annual salary increments and unpaid check-off dues.
The 25 percent salary increment arrears and the 35 percent consolidated non-teaching tools allowance are separate components of the dispute.
While the former concerns outstanding payments arising from the salary increment, the latter is an allowance the union is demanding for non-teaching staff.
Government’s Position
SSANU’s chapter Chairman, Ismail Muhammed, and Secretary, Mansur Ahmad, said the union is dissatisfied with the government’s position on the outstanding entitlements.
According to the union’s account of a meeting held with government representatives on October 9, the state government indicated that it would not pay the arrears arising from the 25 percent salary increment.
It also reportedly proposed that implementation of the 35 percent consolidated non-teaching tools allowance should begin in January 2027, subject to budgetary provisions.
The proposed timeline has become a major point of disagreement, with the union insisting that its members should not continue to wait for benefits it considers outstanding.
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Union Threatens Indefinite Strike
The warning strike followed the expiration of a 14-working-day ultimatum issued by the union on October 14, during which it had sought the resolution of its demands.
SSANU said the decision to withdraw its members’ services became necessary after the government failed to address the issues to its satisfaction within the period given.
The union has warned that it could embark on an indefinite strike if the outstanding matters remain unresolved after the warning action.
It also appealed to Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, to intervene in the dispute and ensure that the workers’ demands receive urgent attention.
Although the strike involves the withdrawal of services by SSANU members, there has been no independent confirmation that all university operations have been halted.
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