The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning of a shutdown of public universities from September 22 if their demands are not met.
The ultimatum, which took effect on September 15, was issued under the umbrella of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of both unions.
At the heart of the dispute are the non-renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/SSANU/NASU Agreements, the exclusion of inter-university centres from the disbursement of the ₦50 billion earned allowances, and the non-payment of two months’ withheld salaries. The unions are also demanding the release of arrears from the 25/35 percent salary increments.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Education and dated September 12, 2025, the JAC accused the government of neglecting non-teaching staff in Nigerian universities. The letter was signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters A. Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim.
The unions recalled that after their earlier petition on June 18, 2025, the minister convened a meeting with JAC on July 4, 2025, where it was resolved that a tripartite committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, and JAC would be set up to address the skewed disbursement of the earned allowances.
While no conclusion was reached on withheld salaries during the July meeting, the minister reportedly pledged to fast-track the payment of arrears related to the salary increment. However, JAC said no tangible progress had been made since then, despite issuing a reminder letter on August 18.
Expressing dismay over the prolonged delay in renegotiating the 2009 agreements, the unions stated:
“In light of the persistent unresolved issues, and the apparent lack of responsiveness from the government to our legitimate concerns, we are compelled to serve a formal notice of seven (7) days effective from Monday, September 15, 2025 to address our agitations, failing which members of NASU and SSANU would embark on a series of legitimate industrial actions including strikes to press home our demands.”
