The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has asked the Federal Government to release the remaining two months’ withheld salaries of its members who participated in the 2022 strike.
from its 51st National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State, the union, in a communique signed by the National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, demanded the immediate harmonisation of salary disbursements across all federal and state institutions to ensure fairness and equity.
The union also expressed disappointment with the continued silence and inaction of the federal government’s Renegotiation Committee regarding the 2009 FG/SSANU Agreement.
It said the prolonged delay in commencing substantive discussions was unacceptable, and demanded immediate resumption and timely conclusion of the renegotiation process to address the long-standing concerns of members to avert an industrial crisis in the university system.
The union decried the ‘inequitable and negligible’ allocation of N50b Earned Allowance, where only 20 per cent, which amounted to N10b, was allocated to members of the three non-teaching unions, comprising SSANU; Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (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 memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the joint action committee of NASU and SSANU in August 2022,” Ibrahim stated. He also expressed concern over the government’s persistent disregard for the several agreements reached with members over the years.
The SSANU chief noted that such agreements, having been reached through structured dialogue and mutual consent, are binding and must be honoured in full.
The group warned that if the pattern of neglect continues, it will be left with no choice but to explore all lawful and appropriate avenues to compel compliance.
And worried by the increased spate of insecurity across the country, particularly the recent mass killings in Benue, Plateau, and other states, it called on 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.
It also observed that inflation, rising food prices, and declining purchasing power have placed unbearable pressure on workers. The union, therefore, called 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.
“NEC calls on the Federal Government to demonstrate sincerity, commitment, and responsiveness in addressing our demands, as SSANU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the promotion of equity, professionalism, and good governance within the Nigerian university system and the broader national landscape,” the communique added.
