The Federal Government has paid eight months of outstanding allowance owed to non-academic employees of federal tertiary institutions, averting a fresh industrial crisis in the university system.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), which had threatened to shut down operations over the unpaid entitlement, confirmed the payment covering January to August 2026.
The development followed a warning issued by the union after its 56th National Executive Council meeting at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. SSANU had given the government 14 days to address the outstanding payment, with a threat to embark on an indefinite strike if the government failed to meet its demand.
According to Arise News, the government’s release of the allowance came shortly after payments of the corresponding allowance for academic staff commenced.
SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, welcomed the payment but said the development did not resolve all the issues before the union. He listed two months of withheld salaries from the 2022 industrial action and arrears linked to the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases among the outstanding claims.
Ibrahim urged SSANU members to engage their respective university authorities to facilitate payment and report any discrepancies that may arise during the disbursement.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the government’s action was part of efforts to improve staff welfare and maintain stability in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
Alausa also pledged continued engagement with university unions and other stakeholders to resolve pending matters affecting the sector.
While SSANU acknowledged the payment as a positive step, it maintained that the government must settle the remaining obligations. The union also called on state governments and governing councils of state-owned universities to honour agreements applicable to their institutions.
