The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has shut down Sokoto State University over unpaid staff entitlements, threatening an indefinite strike if the state government fails to resolve the dispute within five working days.
The union commenced a warning strike on Monday, November 2, following the expiration of a 14-working-day ultimatum issued to the Sokoto State Government on October 14.
In a statement jointly signed by the chapter Chairman, Ismail Bala Muhammed, and Secretary, Mansur Ahmad, SSANU said the action followed unsuccessful attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue with government officials.
“Despite repeated engagements, appeals and consultations with relevant government authorities, no concrete action has been taken to address the legitimate demands of our members,” the union said.
The union is demanding payment of arrears arising from the 25 per cent salary increment, approval and implementation of the 35 per cent Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, annual salary increments for eligible members and the release of outstanding check-off dues.
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SSANU said it had previously engaged the Commissioner for Higher Education, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary and the deputy governor to secure a resolution.
It added that the state government later constituted a committee to engage university-based unions from Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education.
According to the union, at a meeting held on October 9, the government maintained that arrears from the 25 per cent salary increment would not be paid, while the implementation of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance would begin in January 2027, subject to budgetary provision.
SSANU, however, rejected the position, insisting that it did not address the concerns of its members.
The union said the 35 per cent allowance was a legitimate entitlement, adding that similar allowances had been approved for academic staff under the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other categories of workers in state-owned tertiary institutions.
It said the government failed to take concrete action despite the union resubmitting its demands as requested by the Permanent Secretary.
SSANU appealed to Governor Ahmed Aliyu to personally intervene and approve the outstanding entitlements to prevent the dispute from escalating.
It also urged traditional institutions, parents, students and other stakeholders to facilitate an amicable resolution.
The union warned that failure to meet its demands before the expiration of the five-working-day warning strike would lead to a total and indefinite shutdown of services at the university.
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