By Rukevwe Odeh

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal and State Governments to promptly release the ₦2.53 billion Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) allocation designated for each public university, warning that any further delay could negatively affect the growth of the nation’s tertiary education system.

The union also appealed for the immediate implementation of the recently signed 2026 agreement with the Federal Government, including the payment of all outstanding salary arrears owed to its members.

The demands were contained in a communiqué issued after SSANU’s 55th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi.

Signed by the union’s National President, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, the communiqué described the agreement reached with the Federal Government on June 29, 2026, as a significant milestone following years of negotiations.

According to SSANU, the agreement provides for a 35 percent salary increase under the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), improved allowances, expanded staff development opportunities, protection of non-teaching positions, and enhanced career progression for qualified members.

The union stressed that the agreement must be implemented fully, promptly, and without discrimination against any of its members.

SSANU also urged the government to immediately establish the agreement’s Implementation Monitoring Committee to supervise compliance and address possible violations.

In addition, the association cautioned university managements against denying workers their negotiated benefits, delaying promotions, imposing punitive transfers, or victimising staff for participating in lawful union activities.

On outstanding salary arrears, SSANU commended vice-chancellors and heads of institutions that have already complied with the payment of previous salary adjustments. However, it criticized institutions that are yet to settle the arrears, urging them to do so without further delay to boost staff morale amid prevailing economic challenges.

While welcoming the Federal Government’s HOPE-EDU programme and the planned TETFund intervention of about ₦2.53 billion for each public university, the union maintained that such interventions should complement—not replace—the government’s statutory responsibility to adequately fund higher education institutions.

SSANU further called for increased investment in university infrastructure, including hostels, laboratories, electricity, digital facilities, research, and staff development, while urging authorities to provide greater transparency in the management of education funds.

The union also expressed concern over rising insecurity across the country, citing kidnapping, insurgency, and communal violence affecting educational institutions and surrounding communities. It urged security agencies to intensify efforts to protect lives and ensure that all victims receive equal attention regardless of their location.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, SSANU appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and security agencies to conduct credible and peaceful elections while safeguarding university personnel involved in electoral duties.

The association equally reiterated its support for accountability, the rule of law, and fairness in public appointments, while calling on anti-corruption agencies to carry out their responsibilities independently and professionally.