The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has asked the Federal Government to release the remaining two months’ withheld salaries of its members who participated in the 2022 strike.
SSANU also decried the delay in salary payments to federal universities, often weeks after other federal workers have been paid.
These were some of the topics covered at the 51st National Executive Council meeting of SSANU, which was held at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Wudil, Kano State.
In a communique issued at the conclusion of its NEC meeting and signed by SSANU’s National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, the union called for the rapid harmonisation of salary disbursements across all federal and state institutions to promote fairness and equity.
SSANU also voiced concern with the federal government’s Renegotiation Committee’s prolonged silence and inaction on the 2009 FG/SSANU Agreement.
The union stated that the protracted delay in beginning meaningful conversations was intolerable and demanded the prompt resumption and early completion of the renegotiation process to address its members’ long-standing concerns and avoid an industrial crisis in the university system.
The union criticised the “inequitable and negligible” allocation of the ₦50bn earned allowance. Only 20%, or ₦10bn, was allocated to members of the three non-teaching unions: SSANU, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, and the National Association of Academic Technologists.
“This allocation is unjust and discriminatory and fails to acknowledge the indispensable role SSANU members play in the effective functioning of Nigerian universities.
“It is also in breach of the MoU signed with the joint action committee of NASU and SSANU in August 2022.
“NEC calls for a redress of this injustice meted out to our members in the universities and inter-university centres,” the communique read.
SSANU also condemned what it described as a persistent disregard for memoranda of understanding, memoranda of action, and other duly negotiated, collectively bargained agreements entered into with the government.
“SSANU reminds the federal government that such agreements, having been reached through structured dialogue and mutual consent, are binding and must be honoured in full.
“NEC warns that if this pattern of neglect continues, the union will be left with no choice but to explore all lawful and appropriate avenues to compel compliance,” the union said.
Furthermore, the union decried the state of insecurity across the country, particularly the recent mass killings in Benue, Plateau, and other states.
It urged the federal government to declare a national security emergency, which would include investing in modern security infrastructure and reshaping the security architecture through intelligence gathering and agency professionalisation.
The union also encouraged the government to address the core causes of violence, including poverty, young unemployment, and social inequality, through targeted development and empowerment programmes.
On the health of the economy, the union stated that the federal government’s recent economic changes, such as the removal of gasoline subsidies and currency unification, had dramatically increased Nigerians’ cost of living.
It also noted that inflation, rising food prices, and decreased purchasing power had put undue strain on workers and the disadvantaged.
To mitigate the impact on residents, particularly low-income earners, the union urged the federal government to immediately enact targeted social protection measures like food subsidies, fuel vouchers, and conditional cash transfers.
“NEC calls on the Federal Government to demonstrate sincerity, commitment, and responsiveness in addressing our demands 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.
“The union remains resolute in its duty to protect the welfare, rights, and dignity of its members across the country,” the communique added.
