Sokoto varsity SSANU ends warning strike, issues fresh 14-day ultimatum

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Sokoto State University (SSU) chapter, has directed its members to return to work from Monday, November 9, while giving the Sokoto State Government another 14 working days to resolve outstanding welfare issues.

The union said it would begin a total and indefinite strike if the government failed to meet its demands by November 27, 2026.

The decision was contained in a statement signed by the chapter’s Chairman, Ismail Muhammed, and Secretary, Mansur Ahmad, on Sunday.

The latest development comes after SSANU concluded a five-working-day warning strike that began on November 2 and ended on November 6.

According to the association, the decision to resume duties was taken in the interest of industrial peace and to give the state government another opportunity to settle the dispute. However, it stressed that returning to work did not mean members had withdrawn their demands.

The union said its congress had approved the resumption from November 9 alongside a fresh 14-working-day deadline for the government to address all unresolved issues.

SSANU explained that its earlier industrial action followed the government’s failure to approve and implement the union’s requests despite several meetings, formal letters, reminders and engagements with relevant officials.

Among the issues yet to be resolved are the payment of outstanding arrears from the 25 per cent salary increase, approval and implementation of the 35 per cent Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), and the payment of annual salary increments due to eligible members.

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The association is also demanding the release of unpaid check-off dues owed to the union.

It argued that these benefits were legitimate staff entitlements, noting that comparable categories of workers at Sokoto State University, Shehu Shagari University of Education and other state-owned tertiary institutions had received similar provisions.

The union appealed to Governor Ahmed Aliyu to intervene directly by directing the relevant authorities to approve and implement the outstanding payments and allowances.

It also called on the Ministry for Higher Education, government agencies, traditional institutions, parents, students and other stakeholders to help secure a peaceful settlement before the new deadline expires.

SSANU insisted that the government must provide clear approval decisions, definite implementation schedules and full payment of outstanding entitlements. It said further assurances, prolonged negotiations or partial responses would not be sufficient to resolve the dispute.

The association warned that failure to address the issues within the stipulated period would leave it with no alternative but to commence an indefinite strike that would completely disrupt its members’ participation in university activities.

While reaffirming its commitment to staff welfare, quality university education and industrial harmony, the union urged the state government to use the additional time to settle the disagreement and prevent another shutdown of activities at the institution.