The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has called on the Federal and State Governments to release funds immediately to implement the 2026 agreement signed with the union, warning that the pact must be executed promptly and without discrimination.

The demand was contained in a communiqué issued at the close of the association's 55th National Executive Council meeting held at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, from July 22 to 24, 2026, and signed by the National President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim.

The union described the signing of the Federal Government and SSANU agreement on June 29, 2026, as a landmark achievement following years of negotiations. The agreement provides for a 35% upward review of salaries through the Consolidated Non Teaching Staff Salary Structure, improved earned allowances, enhanced staff training and development, protection of non teaching positions, and equal career progression opportunities for qualified degree holders up to CONTISS 15.

"The implementation of the agreement must be done promptly, fully and without encroachment or discrimination. The union urged both the Federal and State Governments to urgently release the funds for the implementation and payment of arrears of the approved review to our members without further delay," the communiqué read.

The council directed that the Implementation Monitoring Committee, as provided for in the agreement, be activated immediately to track compliance and address violations. It also warned universities against denying members negotiated benefits or subjecting staff to punitive postings, delayed promotions or harassment arising from lawful union activities.

On salary arrears, SSANU commended vice chancellors and heads of institutions that had fully or partially paid outstanding 25 and 35% salary increase arrears, while criticising those yet to comply.

"Council frowns at Vice Chancellors and Heads of Institutions that are yet to implement or pay arrears of the 25%/35% salary increase and hereby urges them to do the same without further delay to enhance staff motivation and cushion the effect of economic hardship," it stated.

The union welcomed the Federal Government's HOPE EDU programme and the 2026 Tertiary Education Trust Fund intervention of approximately ₦2.53bn allocated to each public university but stressed that TETFund support must not replace statutory government funding or the ₦1.3tn public university revitalisation commitment.

SSANU also raised concern over food inflation, which rose from 16.96% to 17.52% between May and June, noting that the marginal decline in headline inflation from 15.93% to 15.91% during the same period had not translated into any meaningful improvement in workers' living conditions.