The (SSANU) has intensified pressure on the Federal Government, demanding a 100 percent salary increase for its members as negotiations over workers’ welfare continue to stall.
The demand, according to SSANU’s National Vice President, , was formally presented during a recent engagement with the government’s renegotiation team. This follows an earlier 30-day ultimatum issued by the union, signaling growing frustration among university workers over declining living conditions.
Investigations by The Nigeria Education News reveal that the union outrightly rejected the Federal Government’s initial salary proposal, describing it as grossly inadequate in the face of current economic realities. The rejection prompted a temporary adjournment of negotiations for one week, allowing both parties to reassess their positions.
SSANU leadership, under President , insists that the demand is not arbitrary but rooted in the sharp rise in the cost of living across the country. Union officials point to persistent inflation, surging food prices, increased transportation costs, and the lingering effects of fuel subsidy removal as key pressures eroding workers’ earnings.
Sources within the negotiation process disclosed that although prevailing economic conditions could justify an even higher wage adjustment, the union deliberately reduced its demand to 100 percent as a “compromise position” aimed at facilitating agreement.
The government’s renegotiation committee, chaired by , has reportedly acknowledged the concerns raised by SSANU. However, insiders indicate that fiscal constraints and competing national priorities remain major considerations shaping the government’s cautious approach.
Further findings suggest that the current standoff reflects a broader pattern of unresolved labour issues within Nigeria’s university system, where staff unions have repeatedly clashed with authorities over wages, working conditions, and funding deficits.
For many university workers, the outcome of the negotiations carries significant implications, not only for immediate financial relief but also for long-term morale and institutional stability within Nigeria’s higher education sector.
