.The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has suspended its two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government following the release of eight months’ salary arrears owed to its members.
The union announced the decision after the Federal Government approved and released funds on October 7, 2026, for the payment of arrears covering January to August 2026.
SSANU National President, Comrade Mohamed Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement following a meeting of the union’s National Administrative Committee (NAC).
The union had issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government on October 5, warning that failure to provide funds for the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement would result in a total and indefinite strike.
The ultimatum followed a resolution reached at SSANU’s 56th National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Uyo.
However, following the Federal Government’s release of funds for the payment of eight months’ arrears, the union decided to suspend the planned industrial action.
SSANU said the decision reflected its commitment to constructive engagement, peaceful dialogue and the maintenance of cordial relations with the government to sustain industrial harmony in Nigerian universities.
SSANU Lists Outstanding DemandsDespite suspending the ultimatum, the union urged the Federal Government to demonstrate similar goodwill by addressing other outstanding demands affecting its members.
These include the payment of one year’s arrears of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary awards approved in 2023, as well as two months’ withheld salaries from 2022.
The union also appealed to state governments that had yet to implement the 2026 agreement to fulfil their obligations and settle outstanding arrears owed to staff of state-owned universities.
According to SSANU, resolving these issues is necessary to improve the welfare of university workers and maintain industrial peace across the country’s tertiary institutions.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders but urged the federal and state governments to take concrete steps towards addressing all outstanding welfare concerns.
