The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have once again drawn national attention as they prepare to embark on a nationwide protest and possible strike action.
The unions, operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), have accused the Federal Government of Nigeria of neglect, non-payment of earned allowances, withheld salaries, and failure to renegotiate their long-standing 2009 agreement.
This growing tension between university workers and the government is now threatening to disrupt the 2025/2026 academic calendar, with fears of a total shutdown in public universities if their grievances remain unaddressed.
Background: Why SSANU and NASU Are Protesting Nationwide
For over a decade, the two unions have battled with successive governments over welfare, salary arrears, and poor working conditions.
In recent weeks, they have accused the government of showing favoritism toward the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) while sidelining non-teaching staff who perform equally essential duties in Nigerian universities.
The unions revealed that after issuing several ultimatums and warning letters, the Federal Government failed to take any meaningful action to address their demands. This prompted the declaration of a one-day nationwide protest scheduled for October 9, 2025, to be followed by an indefinite strike if no progress is made.
The Core Issues Behind the SSANU and NASU Protest
According to official circulars and reports, the major grievances of SSANU and NASU include:
1. Unpaid Earned Allowances
The unions claim they were unfairly excluded from the ₦50 billion earned allowance fund released by the government to settle academic and non-academic workers. While academic staff reportedly received their share, non-academic workers were left out.
2. Withheld Salaries and Arrears
Both SSANU and NASU are demanding the payment of two months’ withheld salaries from the 2022 strike period. They also insist that the government must pay the 25% and 35% salary increment arrears owed to non-teaching university workers.
3. Delayed Renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement
One of the unions’ longest-standing grievances is the failure to review and implement the 2009 FG–NASU–SSANU agreement, which outlines improved welfare packages, allowances, and career structures for non-academic university staff.
4. Non-Remittance of Deductions
The unions allege that the government has failed to remit third-party deductions — such as cooperative contributions, pension deductions, and union dues — for May and June 2022, plunging members into financial hardship.
5. Poor Welfare and Neglect of Non-Academic Staff
Both SSANU and NASU insist that their members are “the worst hit financially, economically, and psychologically” due to years of government neglect.
SSANU and NASU’s Warning: “We Have Been Pushed to the Wall”
In a joint statement signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, the unions stated that they have run out of patience with the Federal Government.
“Our members have endured years of injustice and neglect. We have been pushed to the wall, and now we are ready to take action,” the statement read.
The unions further emphasized that the planned protest is only a warning and that a total, indefinite strike would follow if the Federal Government fails to meet their demands.
They directed all branch chairmen to mobilize members massively for the nationwide demonstration and ensure that every campus participates actively in the protest scheduled for October 9, 2025.
Format and Scope of the Nationwide Protest
The SSANU and NASU protest will be a one-day nationwide action taking place across all federal and state universities. Each university branch has been instructed to hold peaceful rallies, marches, and press briefings to express their displeasure.
The protest is expected to feature:
- Peaceful demonstrations with placards and banners.
- Media coverage to raise national awareness.
- Engagement with local education authorities.
- Press statements calling for government intervention.
The unions made it clear that while the protest will be peaceful, it will serve as a final warning before a total shutdown of Nigerian universities.
Possible Indefinite Strike Looms
If the government fails to take prompt action after the October 9 protest, the unions plan to escalate the situation into a full-blown indefinite strike.
This means that all non-academic operations in universities — including administration, library services, ICT, admissions, and maintenance — could be completely halted.
Students and parents fear that the move could cripple the academic system, especially after previous strikes by various education sector unions disrupted academic calendars nationwide.
Federal Government’s Reaction
So far, there has been no official statement from the Federal Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Labour and Employment. However, reports suggest that some behind-the-scenes efforts are underway to prevent another industrial crisis.
Education analysts are urging the government to act urgently, warning that ignoring the unions’ demands could further damage the credibility of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Implications for Nigeria’s Education System
The SSANU and NASU protest and possible strike carry significant implications for the Nigerian education sector:
- Disruption of University Operations:
Non-teaching staff are critical to the smooth running of institutions. Their absence could paralyze administrative and support functions. - Delay in Academic Calendar:
If the protest evolves into a strike, students could face extended delays in exams, results processing, and admissions. - Loss of Academic Credibility:
Frequent strikes and protests continue to erode global confidence in Nigeria’s public university system. - Economic Impact:
Many families will be affected financially, and university-related businesses may suffer due to halted operations. - Strained Labour Relations:
The government’s handling of the situation will determine future relationships with public sector unions across the education sector.
Stakeholders Call for Dialogue
Various stakeholders, including education experts, civil society organizations, and parent groups, are calling for urgent dialogue to prevent another disruption.
They advise the Federal Government to:
- Immediately release the unpaid allowances and withheld salaries.
- Set up a transparent mechanism for disbursing earned allowances.
- Resume and conclude the 2009 agreement renegotiation.
- Improve funding and welfare policies for non-academic staff.
Many Nigerians believe that the government’s proactive engagement could help prevent another round of strikes that would further harm Nigeria’s already fragile education system.
Conclusion
The looming SSANU and NASU protest and strike threat is a clear reflection of the deep-seated challenges within Nigeria’s education sector. For years, the government and university unions have been locked in a cycle of promises and protests, with little lasting resolution.
As the October 9, 2025 nationwide protest approaches, all eyes are on the Federal Government to see if it will act swiftly to meet the unions’ demands and avert another crisis.
If ignored, the protest could snowball into an indefinite strike, paralyzing universities across the nation and setting back academic activities once again.
Only genuine dialogue, transparency, and fulfillment of agreements can restore trust and stability in Nigeria’s university system.
