By JOAN NWAGWU

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued an April ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.

The union made this known in a communiqué issued on Sunday in Abuja at the end of its 54th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Ekiti State University.

The communiqué was signed by SSANU National President, Mr Muhammad Ibrahim.

Ibrahim warned that failure to conclude the 2009 renegotiation agreement may trigger an indefinite strike.

He expressed concern over what he described as slow and inconclusive renegotiation with non-teaching unions, citing lack of clear timelines and firm commitments by government.

According to him, government must, without further delay, reconvene and conclude the renegotiation process in a fair, transparent and time-bound manner.

“In view of this, SSANU hereby issues a final ultimatum to the federal government from April 1 to April 30, 2026, to conclude the renegotiation process and sign the agreement.

“Should the government fail to do so within this period, the union will have no option but to liaise with its partner in the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU to commence an indefinite industrial action,” he said.

He condemned delays in salary payments and non-payment of increments, noting that the situation had worsened hardship among members.

He called for the immediate payment of outstanding salaries and the adoption of a unified salary payment platform, recommending Remita.

The national president also alleged the exclusion of some categories of workers from the N50 billion earned allowances approved in 2022, insisting that all eligible staff in universities and research institutes be included without discrimination.

Ibrahim urged the federal government to address rising inflation through wage reviews and strengthened social protection measures.

He further decried the underfunding of universities, linking it to poor infrastructure and declining service delivery.

He also raised concerns over insecurity on campuses and across the country, calling for improved surveillance and enhanced protection for staff and students.

Ibrahim warned that weak digital infrastructure and inadequate research funding could undermine Nigeria’s global academic competitiveness.

He rejected Public-Private Partnership arrangements capable of leading to job losses and called for sustained dialogue through a standing consultative mechanism to prevent industrial disputes. (NAN)

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