The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has urged the Federal Government and state governments to immediately commence the implementation of the 2026 Federal Government/SSANU Agreement, including the release of funds for the payment of the approved salary review and outstanding arrears to its members.

The union also welcomed the Federal Government’s HOPE-EDU programme and the 2026 Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) intervention of about N2.53 billion for each public university, but insisted that the intervention must not replace adequate government funding and the fulfilment of the N1.3 trillion public university revitalisation commitment.

The demands were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of SSANU’s 55th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State.

The communiqué, signed by the union’s National President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, described the signing of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement on June 29, 2026, as a landmark achievement that concluded years of renegotiation and collective struggle.

According to the union, the agreement was made possible through the resilience, unity and sacrifices of SSANU members across the country and should be implemented promptly, fully and without discrimination.

It noted that the agreement provides for a 35 per cent upward review of emoluments through the Consolidated Non-Teaching Staff Salary Structure Allowance (CONTTA), improved Earned Allowances, enhanced staff training and development, protection of non-teaching positions, and equal career progression opportunities for qualified degree holders up to CONTISS 15.

While commending the government for concluding the negotiations, SSANU urged the immediate release of funds for the implementation of the agreement and payment of all arrears without further delay.
The union also called for the immediate activation of the Agreement Implementation Monitoring Committee, as provided in the agreement, to ensure compliance and address any violations.

It warned against the denial of negotiated benefits, punitive postings, delayed promotions, harassment or any form of victimisation arising from members’ participation in lawful union activities.

SSANU further clarified that the agreement applies only to constitutionally recognised members of the union whose membership is established through voluntary admission, registration and payment of check-off dues.
To ensure effective implementation, it directed all branches to maintain accurate and verifiable membership records and report cases of non-compliance, marginalisation or victimisation through the appropriate union structures.

On funding for tertiary education, the union welcomed the HOPE-EDU initiative and the 2026 TETFund allocation of about N2.53 billion to each public university but maintained that the intervention is supplementary.

It stressed that TETFund allocations should not substitute for adequate budgetary provisions, regular releases of funds or the Federal Government’s commitment to inject N1.3 trillion into the revitalisation of public universities.

The union also called on the government to publish a transparent account of funds released, projects executed and outstanding obligations, while urging greater investment in staff and student accommodation, electricity supply, laboratories, research, digital infrastructure, cyber security and staff development.

SSANU commended the Federal Government, the Expanded Tertiary Institutions Negotiation Committee and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies for bringing the renegotiation process to a successful conclusion.

It also applauded the National Universities Commission for forwarding the signed agreement to all public universities and Inter-University Centres, while acknowledging the role played by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission in concluding the negotiations.