SSANU Issues 30-Day Strike Notice, Decries Economic Hardship and Salary Erosion
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a stern 30-day strike notice to the Federal Government, effective from April 1 to 30, 2026. This action comes in response to mounting economic pressures, delayed salaries, and unresolved negotiations that have severely impacted university staff across the nation.
Economic Hardship and Salary Devaluation
In a communiqué released after its 54th National Executive Council meeting, SSANU expressed deep concern over the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria. The union highlighted how high inflation and the rising cost of living have drastically eroded the purchasing power of workers' salaries. National President Mohammed Ibrahim, who signed the document, emphasized that salary earners face a double jeopardy: not only are salaries often paid late, but their value is further diminished by climbing inflation and the crashing Naira.
"The recurring delays in salary payments have imposed severe hardship on our members, weakened morale, and undermined productivity within the university system," the communiqué stated. SSANU urged the Federal Government to implement immediate relief measures, including a wage review, improved social protection, and concrete interventions to cushion the effects of the current economic realities.
Strike Threat and Joint Action
The union has given the Federal Government until the end of April to conclude the ongoing 2009 renegotiation agreement. Failure to do so will result in industrial unrest across federal universities. SSANU hinted that the planned strike will be jointly prosecuted with its sister union, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), under their Joint Action Committee (JAC).
SSANU described the engagement with the government as prolonged and lacking clear commitment, defined timelines, and tangible outcomes. This frustration has culminated in the ultimatum, which aims to force decisive action on long-standing issues.
Outstanding Allowances and Funding Crisis
The union also expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government's handling of the N50 billion Earned Allowances agreed upon in 2022. SSANU accused authorities of failing to implement the disbursement fully and fairly between academic and non-teaching staff. Additionally, the union is particularly miffed by the alleged exclusion of Inter-University Centres and Research Institutes from the payment, insisting that all eligible workers must benefit without discrimination.
SSANU lamented the parlous state of most public universities, pointing to decaying infrastructure, weak service delivery, and inadequate support for research and innovation. "The funding crisis in Nigerian universities has persisted, leading to decaying infrastructure, weak service delivery, and inadequate support for teaching, research, innovation, and administration," the communiqué noted. The union called for predictable, transparent, and adequate funding for public universities, emphasizing that education must be treated as a priority sector.
Security and Global Competitiveness Concerns
The union also raised alarms about the state of insecurity in the country, which is adversely affecting the learning environment. Most campuses are living under the threat of banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence. SSANU charged governments across all tiers to be more proactive, decisive, and adopt intelligence-driven actions to safeguard lives and property.
Furthermore, SSANU insisted that Nigerian universities are falling behind in the rapidly evolving global knowledge economy due to weak digital infrastructure, inadequate research support, and limited opportunities for staff development. To reverse this trend, the union urged the government to prioritize digital transformation, research investment, innovation, and stronger institutional partnerships to keep Nigerian universities globally relevant and competitive.
In summary, SSANU's 30-day strike notice underscores a critical juncture for Nigerian higher education, with economic hardship, funding deficits, and security issues at the forefront of its demands for urgent government action.
