SSANU issues final warning, threatens total shutdown in 2026 over neglect
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a final warning to the Federal Government, threatening a total shutdown of universities in 2026 if longstanding grievances of non-teaching staff remain unresolved.
The declaration followed the 53rd National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Jos, Plateau State, where members raised urgent concerns about security, infrastructure decay, and economic hardship affecting staff across the nation.
Highlighting the worsening insecurity in educational institutions, SSANU noted a spike in kidnappings targeting schools and universities.
“The recent abduction of students and teachers in Niger and Kebbi States highlights a dangerous trend that threatens education at all levels,” the communiqué read.
The union demanded immediate deployment of modern surveillance, upgraded perimeter protection, and comprehensive health and life insurance for staff.
The council also decried the persistent marginalisation of non-teaching staff in funding and government negotiations.
SSANU stressed that the N50 billion agreed upon in the 2022 MoU/MoA must be released without delay and that previously excluded Inter-University Centres and research institutes must be included in the next disbursement.
“The continued denial of financial entitlements to SSANU members is unacceptable and will attract firm, coordinated action,” the statement warned.
On the matter of renegotiations, SSANU warned that failure by the government to present a credible offer by December 31, 2025, would force the union to initiate “total, comprehensive, and system-wide industrial action in 2026 to defend the rights and dignity of its members.”
The union emphasised that preferential treatment of other staff categories at the expense of non-teaching personnel is unacceptable.
SSANU also rejected the Federal Ministry of Education’s proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for university municipal services, citing risks to job security and workers’ rights.
“No staff must lose their jobs, be replaced, downgraded, or pushed into inferior employment conditions,” the communiqué stated.
The union vowed that any imposition of PPP measures without safeguarding staff welfare would be met with decisive resistance.
The council highlighted the critical decay of university infrastructure, noting unreliable electricity, water system failures, unsafe hostels and classrooms, and obsolete laboratory equipment.
“Without decisive government action, the decay of university infrastructure will continue to undermine national development and the future of the Nigerian youth,” NEC declared.
Economic hardship for staff was also emphasised, with rising inflation, fuel costs, and the escalating price of essentials eroding stagnant salaries.
SSANU called for “an urgent and meaningful wage review that reflects current economic realities,” alongside expanded social protection and affordable transportation and housing policies.
Beyond universities, NEC reviewed national challenges affecting healthcare, agriculture, food security, and infrastructure, warning that over 27 million Nigerians currently face food insecurity, worsened by flooding and poor public systems.
The council urged coordinated action to strengthen healthcare delivery, support farmers, and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure to avert worsening crises.
SSANU reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to national recovery, governance improvement, and modernisation of public institutions.
The union pledged its expertise to sustainable development while maintaining vigilance over the welfare and rights of its members.
According to the Communiqué, the 53rd NEC meeting stressed that SSANU will continue dialogue with government but will not hesitate to take lawful action where necessary.
“The union remains steadfast in protecting its members and securing the future of the Nigerian university system,” the communiqué said.
