FG Releases Eight Months’ Salary Arrears to SSANU After 14-Day Strike Ultimatum

The Federal Government has released eight months’ salary arrears owed members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), averting a fresh threat of industrial action across Nigerian universities.

The payment comes less than 48 hours after SSANU issued the government a 14-day ultimatum to implement the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement or face an indefinite strike.

SSANU had demanded the immediate release of funds to settle outstanding salary payments, including arrears under the Consolidated University Teaching and Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTTA), dating back to January 1, 2026.

The association had warned that failure to meet its demands within the stipulated period would leave it with no option but to commence a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” without further notice.

However, the government moved swiftly to release the eight months’ arrears, preventing a looming disruption to academic and administrative activities in universities.

SSANU welcomed the development, saying the prompt intervention demonstrated the commitment of the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, to honouring agreements reached with university-based unions.

The association’s President, Mohammed Ibrahim, confirmed the release of the arrears and said the development showed that constructive engagement, when followed by timely action, could help preserve industrial harmony and protect workers’ welfare.

The latest payment is expected to ease tensions between the government and SSANU, while attention now shifts to the full implementation of the 2026 agreement and the resolution of any remaining outstanding obligations.