The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning of an imminent shutdown of public universities beginning September 22 if their demands remain unaddressed.
The ultimatum, which commenced on September 15, was issued through the unions’ Joint Action Committee (JAC). Their grievances include the non-renegotiation of the 2009 agreements, exclusion of inter-university centres from the disbursement of ₦50 billion earned allowances, and non-payment of two months’ withheld salaries.
In a letter to the Minister of Education, dated September 12 and jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters A. Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, the unions accused the ministry of neglecting the welfare of non-teaching staff.
The unions recalled that following a previous letter dated June 18, 2025, the Minister convened a meeting on July 4 with stakeholders, where it was agreed that a tripartite committee would be set up to resolve issues arising from the skewed allocation of earned allowances. However, they alleged that no meaningful progress has been made since then.
They also condemned the continued delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU agreements and the failure to settle arrears of withheld salaries and the 25/35% salary increments.
“In light of the persistent unresolved issues, and the apparent lack of responsiveness from the government to our legitimate concerns, we are compelled to serve a formal notice of seven days effective from Monday, September 15, 2025,” JAC stated. “Failing this, our members will embark on a series of industrial actions, including strikes, to press home our demands.”
