Strike: SSANU to Take Position on N50bn Earned Allowances, Other Demands

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has said it would revisit some of its demands that are yet to be addressed on Wednesday at its third Quadrennial National Delegates Conference (NDC).
According to SSANU, some of the issues include: Withheld salaries, wage award and N50 billion Earned Allowance yet to be released by the federal government.
The union called off its nationwide strike on Tuesday after the federal government paid one out of the four months withheld salaries.

The government is expected to pay another one a month by the end of this month.
SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, said the conference would offer a unique opportunity for the association to reaffirm its commitment to advancing the Nigerian university system.
He said: “In a time where stability in the education sector is crucial, the theme underscores our commitment to principled negotiation, respect for agreements, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

“The theme emphasises the necessity for honoring collective agreements as the bedrock of industrial peace. At SSANU, we firmly believe that the integrity of such agreements is essential for ensuring the welfare and dignity of our members, and by extension, the sustainability and advancement of our academic institutions.
“The disregard for or non-implementation of these agreements only serves to undermine trust and disrupt the academic environment. As we convene, we also wish to address key ongoing issues that remain in active discussions with the federal government.

“Specifically, we are revisiting the matters of the outstanding 3 months’ withheld salaries, the ₦50 billion in Earned Allowances, arrears of the 25/35 per cent increment, and the Wage Award.
“We recognise that the government has begun payment of one month from the four months of withheld salaries, and we are hopeful this marks progress toward fulfilling these commitments. These obligations are far more than numbers on paper; they are commitments that, if honored, directly impact the lives, morale, and well-being of our members.

“It is our firm hope that these deliberations will culminate in resolutions that not only honor these commitments but also foster stability and trust within the higher education sector.”
Ibrahim added: “The upcoming National Delegates Conference will also mark the commencement of SSANU’s electoral process, wherein new leadership will be elected to steward the affairs of this great association over the next four years.

“As an organisation deeply rooted in democratic principles, we are committed to ensuring that this election is conducted with the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and integrity.”