The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has warned the Federal Government that it will embark on a nationwide strike if the outstanding N50 billion in earned allowances to universities and inter‑university centres is not paid within the next four months. SSANU National President Mohammed Ibrahim made the appeal on Sunday in a communiqué issued at the close of the 43rd Regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Katsina. He described the delay in payment as long overdue and urged the government to honor its promise to release the funds, warning that failure to do so could trigger an industrial dispute.
Ibrahim also called for the immediate commencement and swift conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/SSANU Agreement, without further delay. The NEC had previously demanded payment of arrears of the New National Minimum Wage to some members who have either been partially paid or not paid at all.
In addition, SSANU expressed concern over what it sees as the usurpation of university governing councils’ powers and functions. Statutorily, the council is the highest decision‑making body in any university, and its decisions on promotions are final. Ibrahim warned that “overzealous agents” are attempting to truncate this process, noting that university councils include a representative of the Federal Ministry of Education. He stressed that councils should be allowed to operate without interference from the Office of the Head of Service or any external agents.
The association condemned the interference in governing council powers concerning the promotion of SSANU members in universities and inter‑university centres. Ibrahim affirmed that SSANU is prepared to use all legal means to protect its members from such objectionable policies.
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