The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced that they will commence a nationwide protest on Wednesday, October 9, 2025, over unpaid allowances, withheld salaries, and other unresolved welfare issues affecting their members in federal and state universities across Nigeria.
This development has stirred major reactions within the Nigerian education sector as stakeholders brace for possible disruptions in university operations. The protest, according to the unions, is a response to what they describe as the federal government’s continued neglect of non-academic university workers and the failure to implement key parts of earlier agreements.
Background: Why SSANU and NASU Are Protesting Nationwide
For years, SSANU and NASU have been vocal about the unfair treatment of non-teaching staff in Nigerian universities. Despite multiple negotiations with the Federal Government, many of their demands remain unmet.
According to a circular jointly signed by SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, the unions resolved to embark on the nationwide protest after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Federal Government.
The protest is intended to draw attention to several lingering issues, including:
- Non-payment of earned allowances for non-teaching university staff.
- Exclusion from the disbursement of the N50 billion released by the Federal Government to settle earned allowances, which allegedly favored academic staff.
- Unpaid salary arrears covering the months of May and June 2022.
- Failure to implement salary increments of 25% and 35% for university workers.
- Delayed renegotiation of the 2009 Federal Government/NASU/SSANU agreement.
- Non-remittance of third-party deductions such as cooperative and union dues.
SSANU and NASU’s Position: “We Have Been Pushed to the Wall”
In their joint statement, both unions expressed frustration over the government’s attitude towards non-academic staff welfare.
They argued that the current administration has failed to fulfill promises made during several rounds of dialogue.
Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim of SSANU lamented that non-academic staff have become “the worst hit financially and economically,” noting that many members have been pushed to the brink of despair due to the prolonged neglect.
He added that the protest would serve as a warning signal, but if the government fails to respond promptly, the unions might escalate their actions into a total and indefinite strike, which could further disrupt academic and administrative activities in universities across the country.
Details of the Nationwide Protest — October 9, 2025
The one-day nationwide protest will take place simultaneously across all university campuses in Nigeria.
Each branch of SSANU and NASU has been directed to mobilize members, carry placards, and hold peaceful demonstrations to express their displeasure.
There will be press briefings and solidarity rallies across major universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The unions also plan to present their demands to federal and state education authorities.
The protest, according to the unions, will be peaceful but highly symbolic — serving as a clear message that non-academic university staff can no longer tolerate what they describe as discrimination and injustice in the education sector.
Key Issues at the Heart of the Dispute
1. Unpaid Earned Allowances
The unions accuse the Federal Government of failing to release their share of the N50 billion earned allowances fund. While academic staff under ASUU reportedly received their portions, SSANU and NASU members were allegedly sidelined.
2. Salary Arrears and Increments
Members are still awaiting payment of two months’ salaries withheld in 2022 during a previous strike. In addition, the promised 25% and 35% salary increments have not been implemented for non-academic workers.
3. Non-Remittance of Deductions
The unions also allege that third-party deductions, such as cooperative society contributions, pension remittances, and union dues, have not been remitted since May 2022, causing financial difficulties for their members.
4. Stalled Renegotiation of 2009 Agreement
The 2009 FGN/SSANU/NASU agreement — which addresses conditions of service, allowances, and welfare — has not been renegotiated despite repeated promises by successive administrations.
Impact on the Nigerian Education Sector
The planned SSANU and NASU protest could significantly disrupt university operations if the Federal Government does not act quickly.
Non-teaching staff play crucial roles in the running of universities — including administration, finance, library management, ICT support, and maintenance of infrastructure.
If the situation escalates into a strike, activities such as result processing, admission coordination, hostel allocation, and general campus maintenance could be affected.
Students and parents have already expressed concerns that another prolonged crisis could derail the 2025/2026 academic calendar, especially after months of academic instability caused by past strikes.
Government Reaction and Next Steps
As of the time of writing, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour and Employment have not issued any formal statement addressing the planned protest.
However, reports suggest that discussions may be ongoing behind closed doors to avert another industrial crisis in the nation’s tertiary education system.
Stakeholders are urging the government to act swiftly by fulfilling its financial obligations and reopening negotiation channels with SSANU and NASU.
Stakeholders React
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express support for the unions, describing the protest as a legitimate demand for fairness in the education system.
Some others, however, warn that repeated industrial actions could damage the reputation of public universities and discourage prospective students.
Education experts have called for a sustainable framework for resolving wage disputes, suggesting that the government should establish a transparent and automated payment system to prevent future delays.
Possible Solutions and the Way Forward
To prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown strike, experts recommend the following measures:
- Immediate payment of outstanding allowances to SSANU and NASU members.
- Transparent distribution of all education-related funds to avoid favoritism.
- Review and implementation of the 2009 agreement without further delays.
- Regular stakeholder engagement between unions and government representatives.
- Institutional reforms that ensure timely salary payments and remittances.
Conclusion
The planned SSANU and NASU nationwide protest on October 9, 2025, underscores the growing frustration among non-academic staff in Nigerian universities.
With years of unfulfilled promises, withheld payments, and neglect, the unions have now resolved to take decisive action to demand justice, fairness, and equal treatment.
The Federal Government’s response in the coming days will determine whether the protest remains a one-day event or escalates into another round of industrial unrest that could paralyze Nigeria’s higher education sector.
