The Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRIAL) has called on the Federal Government to expedite the payment of all outstanding arrears owed to staff across these institutions. The group issued a communiqué at the end of its sectoral council meeting, signed by Chairman Baba Muhammed and Secretary Ademola Olajire, reviewing members' welfare and conditions of service, which they described as very poor.
According to the group, the arrears span several years and include various categories of entitlements that the government approved but failed to pay. SSAUTHRIAL listed outstanding payments such as wage awards approved to cushion the impact of inflation and rising living costs, promotion arrears for staff whose advancements have not been monetised, the 2009 53.7 per cent salary increase arrears, and the 2003 CONHESS/CONMESS 25 and 35 per cent adjustment arrears owed to staff of research institutes.
The association said the continued non-payment of these arrears has created financial strain for members, many of whom have waited years to receive entitlements already due. It argued that the delay contradicts the government's commitment to improving workers' welfare and undermines morale in institutions that drive research, healthcare delivery, and tertiary education in the country.
The association also expressed concern about fluctuating, inconsistent taxation of federal workers. It said the government's tax policies have been unstable and unpredictable, leading to monthly deductions that vary and increasing the financial burden on workers already grappling with rising inflation. The council urged the federal government to review and reduce tax rates to provide relief for workers.
The council noted that constant changes in tax rates and PAYE deductions have made financial planning difficult for federal employees. It said many workers now take home less than expected despite stagnant salaries, while the cost of goods and services continues to climb. The association called on the federal government to urgently review the current tax regime and introduce measures to provide immediate relief to workers whose purchasing power has been eroded.
On the broader economy, the group expressed concern about the rise in the cost of goods and services, which has worsened the hardship faced by Nigerian workers. The communiqué stated that inflation has outpaced salary adjustments, leaving federal workers unable to meet basic needs such as food, transportation, healthcare, and education for their families. It called for a comprehensive review of current economic policies to alleviate hardship and restore the value of workers' earnings.
Another issue raised was the persistent failure of the National Housing Fund (NHF) to promptly remit staff contributions upon retirement. SSAUTHRIAL said many retired members are still waiting to access their NHF savings, despite having contributed throughout their working years. The association described the delay as a violation of workers' rights, causing undue hardship for retirees who depend on those funds for post-service sustenance, housing, and medical care.
The association maintained that retirees should not be subjected to bureaucratic delays and administrative bottlenecks after decades of service. It urged the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and other agencies managing the NHF to streamline the refund process and ensure retired workers receive their contributions without further delay.
The association noted that prompt payment of arrears, a stable tax policy, and efficient remittance of NHF contributions are critical to maintaining industrial harmony in universities, teaching hospitals, and research institutes. It warned that failure to address these issues could affect productivity and morale among senior staff, who play key roles in teaching, research, clinical services, and institutional administration. SSAUTHRIAL added that workers in the education and health sectors remain central to national development.
