The Federal Government has succumbed to the threat of industrial action by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and has commenced moves to release funds for the implementation of the 2026 agreement.

SSANU had on Monday issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to release funds for the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement and pay all outstanding salary arrears, warning that failure to comply would lead to a total and indefinite shutdown of universities nationwide.

The ultimatum was contained in a communique issued at the end of its 56th National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from September 30 to October 1, and signed by its National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim.

The union demanded immediate release and payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the CONTTA salary structure, calculated from the effective date of January 1, 2026, even though the agreement was formally signed on June 29, 2026.

SSANU also demanded payment of the remaining two months salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action and one-year arrears from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase, describing them as legitimate entitlements of members.

According to the union, some universities have implemented the new salary structure using internally generated revenue without cash backing from the Federal Government, while implementation remains incomplete and uneven across federal and state universities.

However, succumbing to the pressure, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, contacted the SSANU President shortly before the union’s press briefing to assure him of government’s commitment to release the funds.

Comrade Ibrahim disclosed that the Director of Funds at the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have confirmed that the money will be released on or before next week.

“We hope this will be done. And if that is done, it will avert the situation. Otherwise, our ultimatum stands,” Ibrahim said.

The union also called on vice-chancellors, governing councils and state governments to ensure full and equitable implementation of both financial and non-financial components of the agreement to sustain industrial harmony in the university system.