Strike looms as SSANU rejects FG’s 30% pay rise offer

Tension is mounting in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has dismissed the Federal Government’s announced 30 per cent salary increase for non-academic staff, warning that industrial action remains imminent if negotiations collapse.

The Federal Government had earlier disclosed that it approved a 30 per cent upward review of the consolidated salary structure for non-teaching staff across federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. The move, authorities said, was designed to address long-standing grievances and improve staff welfare.

The approval was communicated in a March 30, 2026 letter signed by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who stated that the increase would be implemented as a Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance.

Government officials argue that the adjustment is part of broader efforts to enhance productivity and restore stability within the country’s higher education system, while also narrowing welfare gaps affecting critical administrative and technical personnel.

Regulatory agencies, including the National Universities Commission, National Board for Technical Education and the National Commission for Colleges of Education, were directed to commence implementation in line with provided guidelines.

But SSANU has pushed back strongly, insisting that the government’s announcement does not reflect the outcome of ongoing negotiations.

At a special National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, the union declared that talks with the Federal Government are still in progress and no agreement has been finalised.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by its National President, Muhammad Ibrahim, SSANU described reports of a concluded deal as inaccurate and misleading.

The union stressed that it would reject any arrangement that does not align with previously reached understandings during the renegotiation process, emphasising the need for fairness and respect for collective bargaining.

Reaffirming its stance alongside the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), SSANU maintained its April 30, 2026 deadline for the Federal Government to conclude negotiations and sign a binding agreement.

It warned that failure to meet the ultimatum would leave the unions with no option but to embark on a nationwide, indefinite strike.

According to the communiqué, the planned action would be “comprehensive and total,” potentially disrupting administrative operations across public tertiary institutions.

While urging members to remain calm, the union also called for vigilance and readiness to comply with any directive issued by its leadership as the deadline approaches.

The dispute comes against the backdrop of longstanding complaints by non-academic staff over wage disparities, delayed allowances and perceived marginalisation compared to their academic counterparts.

The situation was further aggravated by the Federal Government’s earlier approval of a 40 per cent salary increase for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which non-teaching staff say widened existing inequalities.

Meanwhile, signs of partial implementation are already emerging. The National Commission for Colleges of Education has directed heads of federal colleges to begin preparatory steps for the rollout of the new salary structure.

In an internal memo issued on behalf of its Executive Secretary, Dr Angela Ajala, the commission instructed bursars and institutional administrators to take necessary actions in line with the government’s directive.

Historically, industrial actions by SSANU and NASU have paralysed key administrative functions in tertiary institutions, affecting student services, academic records processing and governance structures.