SSANU Begins Five-Day Warning Strike at Sokoto Varsity, Threatens Indefinite Shutdown

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Sokoto State University chapter, has commenced a five-working-day warning strike over unresolved staff entitlements, shutting down services at the institution.

The union warned that it could embark on an indefinite strike if the Sokoto State Government fails to address its outstanding demands before the expiration of the warning action.

The industrial action began on Monday, November 2, following the expiration of a 14-working-day ultimatum issued to the state government on October 14.

In a statement jointly signed by the chapter Chairman, Ismail Bala Muhammed, and Secretary, Mansur Ahmad, SSANU said the decision followed unsuccessful attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue and engagements with relevant government officials.

The union accused the government of failing to take concrete steps towards addressing its members’ concerns despite repeated consultations and appeals.

SSANU Lists Outstanding Demands

The union is demanding the payment of arrears arising from the 25 per cent salary increment, approval and implementation of the 35 per cent Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), annual salary increments for eligible members and the release of outstanding check-off dues.

SSANU disclosed that it had previously engaged the Commissioner for Higher Education, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary and the Deputy Governor in an effort to resolve the issues amicably.

Following the engagements, the state government constituted a committee to facilitate discussions with university-based unions from Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education.

However, the union said the discussions failed to produce a satisfactory resolution of its demands.

Government’s Position on Salary Arrears, Allowance

According to SSANU, a meeting with government representatives on October 9 ended without an agreement on some of the outstanding entitlements.

At the meeting, the government reportedly maintained that arrears arising from the 25 per cent salary increment would not be paid. It also indicated that implementation of the 35 per cent Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance would commence in January 2027, subject to budgetary provision.

The government further maintained that annual salary increments had already been implemented.

SSANU, however, rejected the position, insisting that it did not adequately address the concerns of its members.

The association maintained that the 35 per cent allowance was a legitimate entitlement, noting that similar allowances had been approved for academic staff under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other categories of workers in state-owned tertiary institutions.

It also said it had resubmitted its demands as requested by the Permanent Secretary but received no concrete response before the expiration of the ultimatum.

Union Appeals to Governor, Warns of Indefinite Strike

SSANU has appealed to Governor Ahmed Aliyu to personally intervene by approving and implementing its outstanding demands to prevent further escalation of the dispute.

The union also called on traditional institutions, parents, students and other stakeholders to intervene and facilitate an amicable resolution.

It reaffirmed its willingness to pursue constructive dialogue but warned that the ongoing industrial action could escalate if the government failed to meet its demands.

According to the association, failure to resolve the issues before the expiration of the five-working-day warning strike would leave it with no option but to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of services at the university.

The development raises concerns over the continuity of administrative and other non-teaching services at Sokoto State University if the dispute remains unresolved.