SSANU decries delay in February salaries, says university workers facing hardship
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has expressed concern over the delay in the payment of February salaries for its members across Nigerian universities, saying the situation is causing serious hardship for workers and their families.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Mohammed Ibrahim, national president of SSANU, also criticised what he described as the slow progress in the ongoing renegotiation process between the union, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the federal government.
According to Ibrahim, the delay in salary payment is weakening confidence in the system, reducing staff morale and affecting productivity within the university system.
He said university workers who dedicate their skills and time to sustaining the sector deserve prompt payment for their services.
SSANU called on the relevant authorities, particularly the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) office under the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), to urgently resolve the issue and ensure immediate payment of the outstanding February salaries.
Ibrahim noted that the recurring changes in the payment process for university workers, including the recent shift between GIFMIS and the REMITA platform, reflect inconsistency in government policy.
He recommended that the government adopt the REMITA platform for the payment of university workers’ salaries, describing it as more reliable and seamless.
The union leader also expressed disappointment that despite the efforts of Malam Ahmed, chairman of the federal government renegotiation committee, the negotiation process with university unions has yet to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
Ibrahim criticised recent public remarks attributed to Tunji Alausa, minister of education, suggesting that industrial harmony has been achieved in universities and that union concerns have been resolved.
According to him, such comments do not reflect the reality of the ongoing negotiations and may mislead the public about the true state of discussions.
He added that the ministry of education must show stronger commitment, urgency and leadership to ensure that the renegotiation process ends with a mutually acceptable agreement.
Ibrahim also faulted what he described as the silence of the minister regarding the union’s concerns, stating that the lack of response does not demonstrate cooperation or goodwill.
He stressed that the stability of Nigeria’s university system depends not only on dialogue but also on the prompt implementation of agreements and responsible communication with the public.
The SSANU president urged the federal government to pay the outstanding February salaries without further delay, noting that many union members are currently observing either the Ramadan or Lenten fast.
He also called on the government to accelerate negotiations with university unions and provide clear information to the public about the status of the talks.
Ibrahim warned that failure to address the issues could push the unions to seek redress through legal channels, including the withdrawal of services and picketing of government offices.
He added that SSANU remains committed to constructive engagement with the federal government in order to maintain industrial harmony and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s university system.
