The Federal Government has cleared eight months of outstanding salary arrears owed to members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), coming less than 48 hours after the union threatened an indefinite strike regarding the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU agreement.
SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, confirmed the disbursement on Wednesday. He praised the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, for stepping in and noted that the payment prevented imminent disruption across Nigerian universities.
The union had previously issued a 14-day ultimatum following its 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The demand required the Federal Government to release the funds and settle outstanding Consolidated University Non-Academic Salary Structure (CONTISS) arrears dating back to January 1, 2026.
In its initial declaration, SSANU warned that non-compliance would result in a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action without further notice.
The initial ultimatum also targeted two months of withheld salaries from the 2022 industrial action, along with one-year arrears stemming from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary adjustments.
Ibrahim stated that the payment demonstrates how constructive engagement can preserve industrial harmony and protect workers’ welfare. He commended Alausa for taking proactive steps and fulfilling his commitment to expedite the release of the funds.
Additionally, Ibrahim instructed SSANU members to work alongside their respective university administrations to ensure timely payments, while asking them to report any discrepancies directly to the union leadership.
According to the union, Alausa had reached out to the national president prior to the issuance of the ultimatum to confirm that the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation were actively processing the funds.
Despite the release of the arrears, SSANU noted that this step does not fully resolve all existing financial disputes. The union emphasized that the Federal Government must still clear the remaining two months of withheld salaries as well as the one-year arrears tied to the 25 per cent and 35 per cent pay increases.
SSANU further called on state governments and the governing councils of state-owned universities to ensure the full, properly funded implementation of the agreement, warning that partial or delayed execution could lead to renewed disruption within the university system.
