The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has requested the Federal Government to disburse the outstanding two months' salary withheld from its members who engaged in the 2022 strike. The union also criticized the fact that public colleges frequently receive their salary checks weeks after other federal employees do. The 51st SSANU National Executive Council meeting, held at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Wudil, Kano State, addressed several topics, including these.
To promote fairness and equity, the union called for the rapid harmonization of wage disbursements across all federal and state institutions in a statement signed by Mohammed Ibrahim, the National President of SSANU, and released after its NEC meeting. Additionally, SSANU was disappointed by the federal government's Renegotiation Committee's ongoing delay and quiet on the 2009 FG/SSANU Agreement.
It demanded the prompt restart and early completion of the renegotiation process to address the long-standing concerns of its members in order to prevent an industrial crisis in the university system, stating that the extended delay in starting meaningful conversations was unacceptable.
Only 20% of the ₦50 billion Earned Allowance, or ₦10 billion, went to the members of the three non-teaching unions that make up SSANU: the National Association of Academic Technologists, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, and the Non-Academic Staff Union. The union criticized this "inequitable and negligible" distribution. "This allocation ignores the critical role SSANU members play in the efficient operation of Nigerian universities and is unfair and discriminatory."
Additionally, it violates the Memorandum of Understanding that was reached in August 2022 with the NASU and SSANU joint action committee. The message stated, "NEC demands that this injustice done to our members in the universities and inter-university centers be rectified."
A chronic disregard for Memoranda of Understanding, Memoranda of Action, and other properly negotiated, collectively bargained agreements with the government was also criticized by the union."SSANU reminds the federal government that these agreements are legally enforceable and must be fully complied with since they were achieved through mutual consent and structured communication.
"NEC cautions that if this neglectful trend persists, the union will have no option but to pursue all legal and suitable means to enforce compliance," the union stated.
In addition, SSANU bemoaned the nationwide insecurity, citing the recent mass murders in Plateau, Benue, and other states. In addition to investing in contemporary security infrastructure and rearranging the security architecture through intelligence collection and professionalization of security organizations, it urged the federal government to declare a national emergency on security.
Through focused development and empowerment programs, the union also asked the government to address the underlying causes of violence, especially social injustice, youth unemployment, and poverty.
Regarding the economy, the union claimed that recent federally implemented economic changes, such as the elimination of gasoline subsidies and currency unification, had considerably raised the cost of living for Nigerians despite their stated goal of stabilizing the economy.
It also noted that workers and the weak have been under unconscionable strain due to inflation, growing food costs, and dwindling purchasing power. To lessen the impact on individuals, especially those with low incomes, the union urged the federal government to immediately enact specific social protection measures, such as food subsidies, fuel vouchers, and conditional cash transfers.
"As SSANU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the promotion of equity, professionalism, and good governance within the Nigerian university system and the broader national landscape, NEC calls on the Federal Government to exhibit sincerity, commitment, and responsiveness in addressing our demands."
The message also stated that "the union remains resolute in its duty to protect the welfare, rights, and dignity of its members across the country."