The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has raised concern over the delay in the payment of February 2026 salaries to staff of federal universities across the country.
The union said the situation is causing serious hardship for thousands of workers and their families and may begin to affect morale and productivity within Nigeria’s university system if it is not resolved quickly.
In a statement issued on Thursday, SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, called on the Federal Government to urgently address the issue and ensure that the outstanding salaries are paid without further delay.
According to the union, many university workers rely entirely on their monthly salaries to meet family needs, and the delay has created financial pressure for many households.
“This unfortunate situation has created significant financial strain for our members and their families,” Ibrahim said in the statement.
He added that beyond the personal difficulties workers are facing, the development is beginning to affect staff morale and confidence in the system.
“Beyond the personal hardship it imposes, the delay in salary payment is steadily eroding confidence in the system, lowering staff morale, and inevitably affecting productivity and overall institutional performance within our universities,” the union said.
SSANU called on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System office under the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to quickly resolve the issue.
The union said university staff who work daily to support teaching, research, and administration in the country’s universities deserve to receive their salaries on time.
SSANU represents senior non-teaching staff in Nigerian universities, including workers in administrative, technical, and professional roles who help run university operations.
These workers play a key role in ensuring that universities function smoothly, from maintaining facilities to supporting academic programmes and student services.
The union stressed that delays in salary payments not only affect individual workers but can also disrupt the smooth running of university activities.
SSANU also blamed the delay on what it described as inconsistencies in the government’s approach to paying university workers.
According to the union, frequent changes between different salary payment platforms have created confusion and inefficiencies.
In recent months, the Federal Government has moved between the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) and the Remita payment platform.
SSANU said this back-and-forth movement between systems has caused uncertainty and delays in salary processing.
“Investigations conducted reveal that the inconsistent approach in handling payment of university staff salaries, which involved jumping from GIFMIS to REMITA and back in the last few months, have clearly shown the government’s inconsistency in policy direction,” the statement said.
The union recommended that the Federal Government adopt the Remita platform for salary payments to university workers, describing it as more reliable and efficient.
According to SSANU, using a single, stable payment system would reduce delays and help ensure that salaries are paid promptly each month.
The union also expressed concern about the slow pace of ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and non-teaching unions in Nigerian universities.
These negotiations involve SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), which represents other categories of university workers.
Both unions have been in talks with the Federal Government over the review of their conditions of service and other labour-related issues.
SSANU acknowledged the efforts of Yayale Ahmed, who chairs the Federal Government’s renegotiation committee.
However, the union said the discussions have not yet produced a final agreement that addresses the concerns of workers.
The union warned that the slow progress in the talks is causing frustration among members who have waited for improvements in their working conditions.
SSANU also criticised recent public statements attributed to the Minister of Education suggesting that industrial peace had been achieved in the university system.
According to the union, such comments do not reflect the current situation and may mislead the public.
SSANU said negotiations between the government and university unions are still ongoing and that many important issues remain unresolved.
The union called on the Ministry of Education to show stronger commitment and urgency in resolving the matter.
“While we recognise and appreciate the contributions of stakeholders working towards a resolution, SSANU believes that the Ministry of Education must demonstrate stronger commitment, urgency, and leadership to ensure that the renegotiation process reaches a logical and mutually acceptable conclusion,” the statement said.
The union also expressed disappointment over what it described as silence from the minister regarding the current salary delay and other concerns raised by workers.
SSANU noted that the delay in salary payment has come at a particularly difficult time for many university staff.
According to the union, a large number of its members are currently observing religious fasting periods such as Ramadan and the Lent.
During these periods, families often spend more on food, charity, and religious activities.
The union said the salary delay is therefore making it harder for workers to meet their responsibilities during these important religious seasons.
SSANU urged the government to consider the welfare of workers and act quickly to resolve the situation.
The union warned that failure to address the issues raised could force its members to consider further action.
According to SSANU, workers may resort to lawful measures, including protests and the withdrawal of services, if the government does not respond to their concerns.
“Anything short of the above will clearly invite our unions to seek redress in every legal means possible, including but not limited to withdrawal of our services and picketing of government offices concerned,” the statement said.
Industrial actions by university unions have in the past disrupted academic activities in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Over the years, strikes by both teaching and non-teaching unions have led to the closure of universities for months, affecting millions of students.
Many stakeholders in the education sector have therefore called for improved dialogue and faster implementation of agreements between the government and university workers.
Despite its warning, SSANU said it remains committed to constructive engagement with the Federal Government.
The union said its main goal is to protect the welfare of university workers while ensuring stability in Nigeria’s higher education system.
It added that timely payment of salaries and honest communication from the government are key to maintaining industrial harmony.
SSANU also called on the government to provide clear and accurate information to Nigerians about the progress of negotiations with university unions.
According to the union, transparency will help reduce misunderstandings and build trust between workers, government officials, and the public.
For now, thousands of university workers across Nigeria are waiting for their February salaries as the union continues to press the government for a quick resolution to the problem.
