Union Issues Fresh Ultimatum To FG Over Unpaid Arrears, Rejects King’s College Concession
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a fresh 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to release and pay arrears arising from the 2026 agreement with the union.
President of the association, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja, where he read the resolutions of the union’s National Executive Council meeting held at the Federal University Uyo at the weekend.
According to him, although the 2026 agreement clearly outlined modalities for resolving the lingering issues, payment of the outstanding arrears had been implemented haphazardly.
He demanded that the Federal Government complete the payments, warning that failure to do so could lead to indefinite strike action.
The fresh ultimatum followed a stern warning issued last Thursday over delays, selective implementation, and marginalisation in the rollout of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement.
The union had warned that it “will not accept unnecessary delays, selective implementation, marginalisation or any attempt to diminish the financial and non-financial provisions of the Agreement.”
Delivering the State of the Union Address at SSANU’s 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, National President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim said implementation had “commenced in some universities” but remained incomplete in others because of “funding and administrative challenges.”
Insisting that the 2026 agreement and NEC resolutions must produce measurable benefits for members, Ibrahim said: “Agreements and NEC resolutions must translate into concrete action and measurable benefits for our members.”
He directed branches and zones to “continue to monitor implementation, maintain accurate and verifiable membership records, document cases of non-compliance or victimisation, and provide timely reports to the National Secretariat.”
While affirming SSANU’s commitment to dialogue, Ibrahim cautioned: “Our commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement should not be mistaken for weakness.
“Where implementation is deliberately frustrated or the decisions of NEC are ignored, the Union reserves the right to take all lawful and constitutional steps necessary to defend the interests of its members.”
On welfare, Ibrahim stressed that the 2026 agreement “took effect from 1st January 2026, although it was formally signed on 29th June 2026”, adding that “financial obligations arising from the effective date remain outstanding and must be fully addressed.”
“We therefore call on the Federal Government to release the necessary funds to all affected universities and Inter-University Centres to enable full implementation of the Agreement and the payment of all accrued arrears from 1st January 2026,” he said.
He added: “Implementation cannot be considered complete while legitimate arrears due to our members remain unpaid.”
Beyond salaries, Ibrahim listed earned allowances, promotions, pensions, career progression, staff development, and fair conditions of service as continuing priorities.
Meanwhile, the association also rejected plans to concession King’s College, Lagos.
SSANU’s opposition to the concession has raised concerns over the ownership and management of the 117-year-old institution, following an announcement by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, in August that King’s College (KC), Lagos, established in 1909 by the colonial government, had been transferred to the Old Boys Association under a 35-year concession arrangement.
