Execute over 25% salary increments, SSANU tells FG. 

Execute over 25% salary increments, SSANU tells FG. 

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has demanded the prompt activation of 25 and 35 per cent salary raises for employees in tertiary institutions. 

SSANU national president, Mohammed Ibrahim said this in a communique issued on Monday at the end of the association’s 45th National Executive Council meeting (NEC) at the University of Maiduguri, Borno.  

During the NEC session, Mr. Ibrahim highlighted that issues of national importance concerning association members were deliberated upon. He mentioned that the renegotiation of salaries for its members with the committee, headed by the late Nimi Briggs, was being recalled at the final stage. 

According to Mr Ibrahim, SSANU had demanded a 700 per cent wage increase, but the committee offered a 23.5 per and 35 per cent review for members. 

“The recent announcement for approval of an increment of 25 per cent and 35 per cent for tertiary institution workers by the government, which was circulated in the social media, is not a product of a collective bargaining agreement with the university-based unions,” the SSANU leader explained. 

Mr Ibrahim added, “While grudgingly acknowledging this slight increase that is yet to be officially communicated to the union, our universities and inter-university centers. SSANU urges both federal and state governments to immediately implement the increment and pay the arrears without further delay.” 

Furthermore, Mr. Ibrahim mentioned that NEC is aware of a provisional sum of N100 billion that has been allocated for the salary review of workers in tertiary institutions, despite it not being implemented yet. 

The SSANU president also said NEC expressed worries over withholding four months’ salary arrears of its members during the last nationwide strike. 

He said that NEC described the action of the withheld salaries as insensitive and inconsiderate. 

“It was obvious that SSANU complied with all legal provisions, including giving adequate notices to the appropriate authorities. But were forced to embark on that strike due to the government’s failure to honor her path of the agreement,” Mr Ibrahim noted. “SSANU, therefore, earnestly requests the government to pay the withheld salaries without any further delay.” 

He also mentioned the harsh economic “realities currently faced by citizens in the country as the government is aware, the value for the money has already been eroded by hyperinflation.” 

Mr. Ibrahim pointed out that NEC had taken note of the overdue renegotiation of the 2009 federal government-SSANU agreement, and stressed that the exercise should be concluded 

“NEC-in-session agreed that now that ministers have been appointed, the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, should hit the ground running as directed by the president,” he stated. “This will go a long way in addressing all industrial disharmony between the government and the university-based unions.” 

He said NEC also demanded that the government should immediately reconstitute the renegotiation committee with experienced university administrators and ensure they complete the assignment within a reasonable time.