The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have declared a one-day nationwide protest scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025, in response to what they describe as the Federal Government’s continued failure to fulfill outstanding agreements. The unions also issued a two-week strike threat, warning that further delays in addressing their demands could lead to a total shutdown of non-academic activities across public universities.

In a circular released on Monday, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of both unions, signed by SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi, directed all branches to mobilize immediately and ensure full participation. The circular emphasized that the protest was not symbolic but a coordinated national action reflecting the frustration of members who have waited months for the government to act.

Unions List Key Grievances

According to the JAC statement, the unions’ grievances include the non-payment of two months’ salaries, the failure to release the ₦50 billion earned allowances approved for non-academic staff, the delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU agreement, and the non-payment of arrears of 25% and 35% salary increments promised by the Federal Government. They also demanded the immediate remittance of third-party deductions from May and June 2022, which have yet to be released to cooperative societies and pension funds.

Both unions noted that despite several meetings with the Ministry of Education and other relevant government bodies, including a Joint Consultative Committee meeting held on September 19 and October 6, no meaningful commitment or timeline has been provided. The unions said these repeated failures have made the one-day protest inevitable.

In their statement, SSANU and NASU warned that if the Federal Government continues to ignore their demands after Thursday’s protest, the unions will begin a two-week warning strike that could escalate into a full-blown industrial action. They argued that the government’s attitude shows disregard for agreements and the welfare of non-academic workers who play vital roles in university administration and operations.

University branches across the country have been directed to hold rallies, media briefings, and campus demonstrations to press home their demands. The unions also appealed to students and the general public for understanding as they push for fairness and accountability in the education sector.