SSANU to FG: Delay in February salaries causing hardship for varsity workers

The leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) says the delay in the payment of its members’ February salaries across Nigerian campuses has imposed untold hardship on them and their families.

In a statement on Thursday, Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU national president, also expressed concern over what he described as “the slow pace of the ongoing renegotiation process between SSANU, NASU and the Federal Government”.

Ibrahim noted that the delay in salary payment is “eroding confidence in the system, lowering staff morale, and inevitably affecting productivity and overall institutional performance in universities”.

“Staff who dedicate their time and expertise to sustaining the university system deserve timely remuneration for their services,” the statement reads.

“SSANU considers this development deeply troubling and calls on the relevant authorities, especially the GIFMIS office in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), to urgently address the delay and ensure the immediate payment of February salaries to restore confidence and stability within the university system.”

The SSANU president said the inconsistent handling of university staff salary payments, which has involved switching from the government integrated financial management information system (GIFMIS) to REMITA in recent months, reflects the government’s inconsistency in policy direction.

“We wish to recommend that government should consider the adoption of the REMITA platform as the channel for payment of salaries of university workers because of its seamless and reliable nature,” he stated.

Ibrahim expressed disappointment that despite the spirited efforts of Malam Ahmed, chairman of the federal government renegotiation committee in the talks with university unions, the overall process has yet to reach a conclusive and satisfactory resolution.

He said SSANU is particularly worried by recent public comments attributed to Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, suggesting that industrial harmony has been fully achieved within the university system and that all union concerns have been addressed.

Such statements, Ibrahim said, do not accurately reflect the current realities of the renegotiation process and risk creating a misleading impression among the public.

“While we recognise and appreciate the contributions of stakeholders working towards a resolution, SSANU believes that the Ministry of Education must demonstrate stronger commitment, urgency and leadership to ensure that the renegotiation process reaches a logical and mutually acceptable conclusion,” the union president stated.

He condemned “the silence of the Honourable Minister of Education” on the concerns raised by the union, saying it is no longer golden and does not portray camaraderie.

According to him, the stability of Nigeria’s university system depends not only on dialogue but also on the timely implementation of agreements and responsible communication with the public.

He urged the federal government to ensure the immediate payment of the outstanding February salaries, noting that many union members are currently observing either the Ramadan or the Lenten fast.

He said the government should also accelerate the ongoing renegotiation process with university unions to bring it to a credible and conclusive end.

Other demands of the union, according to him, include providing clear and accurate information to the Nigerian public regarding the true status of negotiations.

“Anything short of the above will clearly invite our unions to seek redress through every legal means possible, including but not limited to withdrawal of our services and picketing of the government offices concerned,” he said.

“SSANU remains committed to constructive engagement with the federal government in the interest of sustaining industrial harmony and protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s university system.”