The payment covers January to August 2026, but the union says other salary claims remain unresolved.
The federal government has released eight months of arrears of the Consolidated Non-Academic Staff Tertiary Institutions Allowance for employees of federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, easing an immediate threat of industrial disruption.
Minister of Education Tunji Alausa announced the release of the January-to-August 2026 entitlements shortly after payment of a separate consolidated allowance to academic staff began.
Alausa said the intervention was intended to improve staff welfare, maintain industrial harmony and prevent interruptions to teaching and learning. He pledged continued engagement with unions, institutional leaders and other stakeholders on unresolved concerns.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities welcomed the decision. Its president, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the prompt release demonstrated the value of constructive dialogue supported by timely implementation.
SSANU had recently issued a 14-day ultimatum following its National Executive Council meeting at the University of Uyo, warning that it could embark on a comprehensive and indefinite strike if its demands were ignored.
In addition to the allowance arrears, the union sought two months of salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action and one year of arrears arising from earlier 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary adjustments.
Ibrahim asked branch leaders to work with university managements to ensure that the released funds were paid correctly and to report any shortfalls. The union also urged state governments and governing councils to implement relevant agreements fairly and with adequate funding.
Although the immediate payment reduced the risk of a shutdown, SSANU maintained that its remaining claims were legitimate and should be settled without further delay. It said it preferred dialogue but would use lawful means to defend members’ rights if agreements were not honoured.
The government’s next challenge is to resolve the outstanding obligations and sustain industrial peace beyond the latest disbursement.
