The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has criticised the Federal Government for failing to release the N50 billion earned allowances appropriated in the 2023 supplementary budget.
During its 50th Regular National Executive Council meeting at the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, SSANU demanded the immediate inclusion of the withheld funds in the 2025 budget and their prompt disbursement.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the union also expressed displeasure over the unpaid arrears of the 25% and 35% salary increments approved for staff of federal universities, inter-university centres, and some state universities.
SSANU warned that failure to meet these financial obligations could lead to industrial unrest.
While acknowledging the payment of two months’ withheld salaries, SSANU criticised the government’s failure to remit third-party deductions, including cooperative contributions and dues for professional associations.
It demanded the immediate payment of the remaining two months’ withheld salaries and the settlement of all outstanding deductions.
“The union noted cases of salary shortfalls and inconsistencies in third-party deductions across various universities and inter-university centres.
“Further inquiries revealed that, after migrating to the GIFMIS platform, some universities have shortchanged their staff by paying incomplete salaries and withholding deductions, citing salary shortfalls, in violation of financial regulations,” the communiqué stated.
SSANU also condemned some state governments for failing to implement the new minimum wage, leaving workers in state universities financially disadvantaged compared to their federal counterparts.
The union urged the affected states to immediately comply with the new wage structure.
SSANU raised concerns over increasing cases of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions, condemning an alleged case involving the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Abayomi Fashina, and a Deputy Director of Works and Services.
The union stated that it is monitoring the situation closely and warned that it would not tolerate injustice against its members.
SSANU also criticised what it described as excessive taxation on salaries, including the Pay As You Earn tax, the hike in Value Added Tax and other levies.
The union argued that these financial burdens have eroded the impact of the recent N70,000 minimum wage increase and urged the government to introduce a more worker-friendly tax regime to ease economic hardship.
