Monday, April 20, 2026 - The Federal Government has approved a 30 per cent increase in the consolidated salary structure of non-academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The move is aimed at easing long-standing labour tensions
and boosting morale across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The approval comes after years of agitation by non-academic
staff unions, particularly the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian
Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union, over salary disparities and
unpaid allowances.
It also followed approval of a 40 per cent pay rise granted
to the Academic Staff Union of Universities by the Federal Government.
However, the National Executive Council of the SSANU has
insisted that no final agreement has been reached.
It threatened industrial action if talks were not concluded
by the end of April.
In a letter dated March 30, 2026, and signed by the Minister
of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, the government said the increment would be
implemented as a Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance.
“I write to convey the approval of His Excellency… for a
thirty per cent (30%) increase in the consolidated salary structures of
non-academic staff of federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of
education,” the minister stated.
The directive, addressed to the Executive Secretary of the
National Commission for Colleges of Education, National Universities Commission
and the National Board for Technical Education, indicated that details of
the implementation are contained in an attached memorandum.
Alausa said the decision reflected the government’s
commitment to improving the welfare and productivity of non-academic staff, who
play critical administrative and technical roles in higher institutions.
“This approval underscores the Federal Government’s
commitment to enhancing the welfare, motivation, and productivity of
non-academic staff,” he said, adding that it would also strengthen “the
quality, stability and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s tertiary education
system.”
He further urged relevant agencies to ensure the smooth
execution of the policy.
“We look forward to your usual cooperation and support for
the seamless and timely implementation of this approval,” the minister added.
SSANU’s position rejecting the agreement was contained in a
communiqué issued at the end of a special NEC meeting held on Saturday at the
union’s National Secretariat in Abuja, where leaders reviewed developments in
the negotiation process.
According to the communiqué signed by the National President
of SSANU, Muhammad Ibrahim, and forwarded to the press on Sunday, the NEC
reaffirmed that “the renegotiation process with the Federal Government is still
ongoing and has not been concluded.”
The council also expressed concern over what it described as
misleading reports in the public space, suggesting that the process had been
concluded.
It specifically pointed to the circulation of a letter
allegedly indicating approval of a 30 per cent increase in allowances,
insisting that discussions were still ongoing and no binding agreement had been
signed.
NEC stated that “SSANU will not accept any outcome that
falls below the negotiated understanding reached in the course of the
renegotiation process, and insists that fairness, due process, and collective
bargaining principles must be respected.”
Reiterating its earlier stance under the Joint Action
Committee of NASU and SSANU, the council maintained the ultimatum given to the
Federal Government from April 1 to April 30, 2026, to conclude negotiations and
sign agreements.
It warned that failure to meet the deadline would leave the
unions with no choice but to embark on industrial action.
The communiqué stated that SSANU “will have no alternative
but to, along with NASU, commence an indefinite, comprehensive, and total
industrial action.”
The council urged members across all branches to remain calm
but vigilant, and to stay united in readiness to comply with any directives
issued by the union leadership.
“NEC called on all members of the union across the branches
to remain calm, vigilant, united, and prepared to fully comply with the
decisions of the Union in defence of their welfare, dignity, and collective
interest,” the communiqué read.
It further reiterated SSANU’s commitment to defending
members’ rights and welfare, stating that the union “will continue to pursue
justice with firmness, unity, and resolve.”
The latest warning follows an earlier communiqué issued
after SSANU’s 54th National Executive Council meeting held at Ekiti State
University, where the union expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of
renegotiations and issued a final ultimatum to the Federal Government.
At the time, SSANU also raised concerns over salary delays,
poor funding of universities, and deteriorating working conditions across the
system.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Colleges of Education
has directed provosts of federal colleges of education to commence necessary
processes for the implementation of the new payment plan.
The memo, issued on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Dr
Angela Ajala, instructed bursars and institutional heads to take note of the
development and align with the new salary structure.
“On behalf of the Executive Secretary… I write to
respectfully bring to your attention the recent approval by the Federal
Government… the thirty per cent (30%) increase in the consolidated salary
structure of non-teaching staff,” the commission stated.
It added that the minister’s approval had been attached to
guide execution, signalling the start of formal rollout across federal colleges
of education.
Both unions have repeatedly embarked on industrial actions
in recent years, protesting what they described as inequitable treatment
compared to academic staff under the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
Strikes by SSANU and NASU have disrupted administrative
operations across campuses, affecting student services, examination processing,
and institutional governance.
Their demands have typically included improved remuneration,
payment of earned allowances, and inclusion in government intervention funds.
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