The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal Government to urgently conclude ongoing renegotiations with non-teaching university unions, warning that failure to do so could undermine industrial harmony across Nigerian universities.
The appeal was made by SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, while speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja. Ibrahim was reacting to the recent signing of a renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
While describing the ASUU agreement as a positive and commendable step, Ibrahim stressed that it was insufficient to guarantee lasting industrial peace in the university system unless similar urgency was extended to other unions.
“The ASUU agreement is a welcome development, but it does not automatically translate to total industrial peace in the university system,” Ibrahim said. “Government must urgently conclude renegotiations with SSANU, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) to avoid fresh unrest and sustain the current stability on campuses.”
He described the present situation as “not yet uhuru,” warning that unresolved negotiations could easily trigger new tensions. According to him, the non-teaching unions are parties to outstanding agreements dating back to 2009, many of which are yet to be fully implemented.
Ibrahim acknowledged that discussions with government representatives had already commenced but urged that the process be concluded promptly. He cautioned that selective engagement with only one segment of university unions could breed mistrust and create perceptions of unequal treatment.
The SSANU president emphasised that universities operate as integrated systems in which both academic and non-teaching staff play interdependent roles. He noted that non-teaching staff are central to campus security, healthcare delivery, laboratory support, power supply, and general maintenance.
“Neglecting the welfare of non-teaching staff has the potential to disrupt academic activities and destabilise the university calendar,” he warned, adding that delays could reverse the recent gains recorded in industrial harmony.
Ibrahim further urged the Federal Government to demonstrate fairness, inclusiveness and sincerity through concrete actions, noting that prolonged negotiations could become more complicated as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
He advised the government to respect the principles of collective bargaining as a foundation for sustaining trust, stability and long-term industrial peace in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.