By JOAN NWAGWU

The Federal Government has released eight months’ salary arrears owed members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) to avert an imminent strike.

Mr Mohammed ‌‌‍‍‌‍⁠⁠‍⁠⁠‍‌‌Ibrahim, SSANU President, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

It would be recalled that SSANU had issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding immediate payment of outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement.

The union had warned that failure to meet its demands within the period would compel it to commence a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” without further notice.

Ibrahim commended the Federal Government for responding promptly to the demand, saying the development would help sustain industrial harmony in the nation’s universities.

He also commended the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, for his proactive intervention and efforts toward securing the release of the arrears.

Ibrahim said the development demonstrated that constructive engagement between government and university-based unions could produce positive results when supported by prompt action.

“This is a demonstration that constructive engagement, when matched with prompt action, can protect industrial harmony and workers’ welfare,” Ibrahim said.

He urged SSANU members nationwide to liaise with their respective university managements to ensure prompt and judicious payment of the released funds.

The SSANU president also directed members to report any shortfall or irregularity in the payment to the union for appropriate action.

He urged the Federal Government to sustain the responsive approach in implementing agreements reached with university-based unions and settling outstanding entitlements.

Ibrahim however, maintained that government must still settle two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action and one-year arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.

“These are legitimate entitlements of our members and should not be subjected to further delay,” he said.

He also urged state governments and governing councils of state-owned universities to ensure full and properly funded implementation of agreements reached with university-based unions.

He noted that selective or delayed implementation could trigger fresh tensions and undermine industrial harmony within the university system.

Ibrahim reaffirmed the union’s commitment to constructive engagement and industrial peace, while insisting that it would use lawful means to protect the rights and welfare of its members.

He said the release of the arrears had strengthened confidence that constructive engagement could deliver tangible results for workers, students and the wider Nigerian university system. (NAN)

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