The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) is approaching the expiration of its 14-day strike ultimatum to the Federal Government, with outstanding salary arrears and unresolved provisions of the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement still threatening industrial peace in the university system. Although the government has released funds covering eight months of arrears under the revised Consolidated University Teaching and Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTTA/CONTISS), the union’s other demands remain unsettled.
Key Highlights
- SSANU issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government in early October 2026.
- The deadline is expected to fall around October 19, based on the reported timeline.
- The Federal Government released funds covering eight months of CONTTA/CONTISS salary arrears.
- SSANU says two months of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike remain unpaid.
- The union is also demanding one-year arrears from the earlier 25% and 35% salary increases.
- SSANU warned that failure to meet its demands could trigger an indefinite strike.
- The partial payment has eased immediate tensions, but the union’s outstanding demands remain unresolved.
SSANU Strike Ultimatum Nears Expiry
SSANU issued the ultimatum following its 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Uyo from September 30 to October 1, 2026.
The union’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the NEC demanded the immediate payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement on the CONTTA salary structure.
The agreement, formally signed on June 29, 2026, provides for implementation effective from January 1, 2026.
SSANU warned that failure to meet its demands within 14 days would compel it to embark on a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” without further notice.
The ultimatum also covered other outstanding entitlements, including salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action and arrears from previous salary increases.
FG Releases Eight Months of SSANU Salary Arrears
Less than 48 hours after the ultimatum was made public, the Federal Government released funds covering eight months of arrears linked to the revised CONTTA/CONTISS salary structure.
SSANU confirmed the development around October 7, with Ibrahim commending the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, for facilitating the release, Nairametrics reported.
The union directed members to liaise with their respective university managements to ensure that the funds were disbursed appropriately.
Members were also asked to report any shortfalls or problems encountered during payment.
The release was widely reported as easing the immediate threat of a university shutdown. However, SSANU has not withdrawn its broader demands for outstanding payments.
Two Months of Withheld 2022 Salaries Still Outstanding
Despite the release of the eight-month arrears, SSANU maintains that two months of salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action remain unpaid.
The union has described the outstanding payments as legitimate entitlements and called for their immediate settlement.
The dispute over the withheld salaries dates back to the industrial action that disrupted university activities in 2022.
SSANU has argued that the payment should not be delayed further, insisting that the outstanding amount is separate from the arrears recently released under the 2026 agreement.
SSANU Demands Arrears From 25% and 35% Salary Increases
The union is also demanding one-year arrears arising from earlier 25% and 35% salary increases.
According to SSANU, these payments remain part of the outstanding obligations owed to its members.
The union has warned that settling only the recent CONTTA-related arrears would leave significant parts of its financial demands unresolved.
The remaining payments have therefore become a key issue in determining whether the government’s intervention will lead to a lasting resolution or only a temporary easing of tensions.
Union Raises Concerns Over Uneven Implementation
SSANU has also expressed concern over the uneven implementation of the 2026 agreement across Nigerian universities.
While some institutions reportedly began implementing aspects of the agreement, others have faced funding and administrative challenges.
In some cases, universities have relied on internally generated revenue to meet their obligations, highlighting differences in the financial capacity of institutions.
The union has called for full implementation of the agreement across federal and state-owned universities, alongside improved support for university infrastructure.
It has also urged state governments and university governing councils to honour applicable agreements and prevent further disputes over staff entitlements.
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SSANU Strike Threat: Reactions to Partial Payment
The release of eight months of arrears generated mixed reactions online, with some workers welcoming the payment while others questioned why the government had not settled the outstanding obligations earlier.
One social media user, Joshua Eze, argued that the speed of the payment following the ultimatum raised questions about the timing of the government’s response. He also highlighted the continued non-payment of the 2022 withheld salaries and the arrears from the 25% and 35% increases.
Other reactions focused on the effect of recurring industrial disputes on university staff, students and the wider education system.
Africa Independent Television also reported that SSANU had remained quiet on the strike notice as members began receiving the eight-month arrears.
However, the absence of a fresh strike announcement does not, by itself, establish that the union has withdrawn its remaining demands.
Will SSANU Begin an Indefinite Strike?
The immediate risk of an industrial shutdown appears to have eased following the release of the eight-month arrears. However, the position of the union on the remaining demands will be critical as the 14-day deadline approaches.
The ultimatum is expected to expire around October 19, 2026, based on the timeline reported after the NEC meeting.
It remains unclear whether SSANU will continue negotiations over the outstanding payments or pursue further industrial action if the demands are not met.
Any decision to embark on a strike could affect university administration, campus services and students’ academic activities.
University Workers Await Resolution of Outstanding Payments
The dispute highlights persistent tensions between university staff unions and the Federal Government over salary agreements, withheld payments and funding shortfalls.
While the release of eight months of arrears represents progress on one part of SSANU’s demands, the outstanding 2022 salaries and arrears from previous salary increases remain unresolved.
A comprehensive settlement, alongside consistent implementation of the 2026 agreement, could help reduce the risk of further industrial action.
For now, university workers and students are watching for further engagement between SSANU and the government as the ultimatum deadline approaches.
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