The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has bemoaned the withholding of their two months’ salaries over the 2022 strike by the four unions in the federal universities.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its 51st National Executive Council (NEC) held in Kano, SSANU also faulted the delay in the payment of their salaries, which it alleged occurs every month.
The communique, which was signed by the union’s President, Mohammed Ibrahim, read in part: “NEC strongly condemns the continued withholding of salaries of SSANU members who participated in the 2022 industrial action. NEC, therefore, urges the Federal Government to immediately release the outstanding two months’ withheld salaries as a demonstration of good faith and commitment to restoring industrial harmony within the University system.
Similarly, NEC decries the persistent delay in salary payments to federal universities, often weeks after other federal workers have been paid. This discriminatory practice is both unjust and unacceptable, it said. The union demands the immediate harmonisation of salary disbursements across all federal and state institutions to ensure fairness and equity.”
NEC-in-session expressed deep concern over the Federal Government’s persistent disregard for memoranda of understanding (MoU), memoranda of action (MoA), and other duly negotiated, collectively bargained agreements entered into with SSANU.
It insisted that such agreements, having been reached through structured dialogue and mutual consent, are binding and must be honoured in full.
The meeting warned that if this pattern of neglect continues, the union will be left with no choice but to explore all lawful and appropriate avenues to compel compliance.
Again, it faulted the unjust disbursement of earned allowances between the teaching and non-teaching unions in the universities.
“NEC strongly frowns at the inequitable and negligible allocation of the N50 billion Earned Allowance, wherein only 20 per cent, which amounts to N10 billion, was allotted to the members of the three non-teaching unions (SSANU, NASU and NAAT). This allocation is unjust, discriminatory, and fails to acknowledge the indispensable role SSANU members play in the effective functioning of Nigerian universities. It is also in breach of the MoU signed with the joint action committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU in August 2022. NEC calls for a redress of this injustice meted out to our members in the universities and inter-university centres,” it stated.
SSANU also urged the government to initiate the process of renegotiating the 2009 FG/SSANU agreement. NEC-in-session expressed deep disappointment over the continued silence and inaction of the Federal Government’s Renegotiation Committee regarding the 2009 FG/SSANU Agreement.
The Council emphasised that the prolonged delay in commencing substantive discussions is unacceptable, while demanding the immediate resumption and timely conclusion of the renegotiation process to address the long-standing concerns of its members to avert an industrial crisis in the university system.
The union also expressed anxiety over the worsening insecurity in the land. It condemned the killings in Benue, Plateau and other states.
It urged the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on security, including investing in modern security infrastructure and rejigging the security architecture through intelligence gathering and professionalisation of security agencies.
The meeting further urged the government to address the root causes of violence, particularly poverty, youth unemployment, and social injustice, through targeted development and empowerment initiatives.
Relatedly, the worsening state of the economy and cost of living is a cause of concern to SSANU, which noted with deep concern that recent economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and currency unification introduced by the Federal Government, are inflicting socio-economic pains on hapless Nigerians.
However, it noted that though intended to stabilise the economy, the reforms have significantly worsened the cost of living for Nigerians. It added: “NEC also observe that inflation, rising food prices and declining purchasing power have placed unbearable pressure on workers and the vulnerable. NEC therefore calls on the Federal Government to urgently implement targeted social protection measures, including food subsidies, fuel vouchers and conditional cash transfers to cushion the impact on citizens, particularly low-income earners.”
SSAMNU also said the recurrent incidence of climate-related disasters, particularly over-flooding and environmental degradation, which has continued to threaten lives, livelihoods and national development, is worrisome.
The meeting called on the Federal Government to develop and implement a comprehensive national disaster response framework in line with global climatic changes, and proactively engage relevant environmental and emergency management agencies to mitigate future occurrences and safeguard vulnerable communities.
While it reaffirmed an unwavering commitment to the promotion of equity, professionalism, and good governance within the Nigerian university system and the broader national landscape, SSANU called on the Federal Government to demonstrate sincerity, commitment and responsiveness in addressing its demands.
