By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has urged the Federal and State Governments to immediately release the ₦2.53 billion Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) intervention allocated to each public university, alongside funds required to implement the newly signed 2026 agreement and settle outstanding salary arrears.
The union warned against any delay or discrimination in extending the negotiated benefits to its members, insisting that the agreement must be fully implemented without encroachment.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the union’s 55th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, between July 22 and 24.
The communiqué, signed by SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, described the June 29, 2026 agreement between the Federal Government and the union as a landmark achievement after years of negotiations.
According to SSANU, the agreement provides for a 35 per cent salary increase under the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), improved earned allowances, enhanced staff training and development, protection of non-teaching positions, and equal career progression opportunities for qualified degree holders up to CONTISS 15.
The union stressed that implementation of the agreement should commence without delay.
“The implementation of the agreement must be done promptly, fully and without encroachment or discrimination,” the communiqué stated.
It therefore called on both federal and state governments to immediately release funds for the implementation of the agreement and payment of all outstanding salary arrears.
SSANU also demanded the immediate activation of the agreement’s Implementation Monitoring Committee to ensure compliance and promptly address any violations.
The union warned universities against denying members negotiated benefits or victimising workers for participating in legitimate union activities.
“NEC seriously warned against the denial of negotiated benefits, punitive postings, delayed promotions, harassment or any form of victimisation arising from members’ participation in lawful union activities,” it stated.
The council clarified that the agreement applies only to constitutionally recognised SSANU members and directed all branches to maintain accurate membership records while reporting cases of marginalisation through the union’s established channels.
On outstanding salary arrears, SSANU commended vice-chancellors and heads of institutions that had fully or partially implemented payments relating to the previous 25 and 35 per cent salary adjustments.
However, it criticised institutions that have yet to comply, urging them to clear the arrears without further delay to improve staff motivation and cushion the effects of the country’s economic hardship.
The union also welcomed the Federal Government’s HOPE-EDU programme and the 2026 TETFund intervention, under which each public university is expected to receive about ₦2.53 billion.
It, however, maintained that TETFund interventions should complement—not replace—government’s statutory responsibility to adequately fund public universities.
“The Council stressed that TETFund is supplementary and must not replace adequate government funding, regular budgetary releases and the fulfilment of the ₦1.3 trillion public university revitalisation commitment,” the communiqué added.
SSANU further urged the government to provide a transparent account of education funds released and increase investment in staff and student accommodation, laboratories, electricity supply, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, research and staff development.
The union also expressed concern over the country’s economic situation, noting that while headline inflation dropped marginally from 15.93 per cent in May to 15.91 per cent in June, the decline had not translated into improved living conditions for workers, especially as food inflation increased from 16.96 per cent to 17.52 per cent during the same period.
It called on the government to improve workers’ purchasing power through better pensions, affordable housing, improved transportation and stronger social protection programmes, while ensuring fairness and transparency in the implementation of the country’s new tax framework.
On insecurity, SSANU condemned the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, insurgency and communal violence affecting schools, universities, highways and farming communities.
Although it commended security agencies for rescuing abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, the union expressed concern that 42 children reportedly abducted in Mussa town, Borno State, have remained missing for more than two months.
It urged the government to accord equal attention to victims across the country, stressing that every Nigerian life is equally valuable.
The union also backed ongoing efforts to establish state police but insisted that constitutional safeguards must be put in place to prevent political abuse and the intimidation of workers, journalists and trade unionists.
It further called on universities to strengthen campus security through improved perimeter fencing, surveillance systems, lighting, emergency communication facilities and stronger collaboration with security agencies.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, SSANU urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and security agencies to guarantee transparent and credible elections while ensuring adequate protection for university staff participating in election duties.
The council also condemned corruption, selective justice and abuse of public institutions, urging anti-corruption agencies to discharge their responsibilities independently, professionally and in accordance with the rule of law.
It further called for fairness in public appointments, employment and the distribution of national resources in line with the federal character principle.
Leave a Reply