The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Sokoto State University chapter, has commenced a five-day warning strike over outstanding staff entitlements and unresolved welfare demands.
The union also warned that it could embark on an indefinite strike if the Sokoto State Government fails to address its grievances 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 its Chairman, Ismail Bala Muhammed, and Secretary, Mansur Ahmad, SSANU said it was left with no option but to withdraw its services after several attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue failed.
The union listed its demands to include the payment of arrears 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 outstanding check-off dues.
SSANU disclosed that it had held several meetings with the Commissioner for Higher Education, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary and the Deputy Governor to secure government intervention. It added that a committee was subsequently established to engage university-based unions at Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education, but the discussions failed to produce a resolution.
According to the union, the outcome of its October 9 meeting with the government was unsatisfactory, as the state maintained that arrears from the 25 per cent salary increase would not be paid, while implementation of CONTTA would begin in January 2027, subject to budgetary provisions.
Rejecting the government’s position, SSANU maintained that the allowance was a legitimate entitlement of its members, noting that similar benefits had been approved for academic staff under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other categories of workers in state-owned tertiary institutions.
The union further stated that it resubmitted its demands at the request of the Permanent Secretary but received no concrete response before the ultimatum expired.
SSANU appealed to Governor Ahmed Aliyu to intervene personally and ensure an immediate resolution of the dispute.
It also urged traditional rulers, parents, students and other stakeholders to prevail on the government to address the outstanding issues, warning that failure to meet its demands within the five-day period could lead to a total and indefinite withdrawal of services at the university.
