SSANU begins five-day warning strike at Sokoto State University over unpaid allowances

Non-academic staff at Sokoto State University have withdrawn their services for five working days, starting Monday, November 2, after the state government did not act on their unpaid entitlements before a deadline the union set on October 14.

The Sokoto State University chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) announced the warning strike in a statement jointly signed by its chairman, Ismail Bala Muhammed, and secretary, Mansur Ahmad. The union said it had no choice but to stop work after talks with government officials failed to produce results.

The workers are asking for four things: arrears from a 25 per cent salary increase, approval and payment of a 35 per cent Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), yearly salary increments for members who qualify, and outstanding check-off dues.

Why the talks broke down

According to the union, it met the Commissioner for Higher Education, the ministry's permanent secretary and the Deputy Governor in an effort to settle the matter. The government later set up a committee to engage unions at Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education.

At a meeting on October 9, the union said, the government insisted it would not pay the 25 per cent increment arrears and proposed that CONTTA take effect from January 2027, depending on what the budget can carry.

SSANU rejected that position. It argues the 35 per cent allowance is a legitimate entitlement, noting that academic staff under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other workers in state-owned tertiary institutions have received similar allowances.

The union said it resubmitted its demands at the permanent secretary's request but heard nothing concrete before the ultimatum ran out.

“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 in the statement.

What happens next

SSANU has asked Governor Ahmed Aliyu to step in personally and approve the outstanding payments. It also urged traditional rulers, parents, students and other stakeholders to push for a settlement.

If the government does not act within the five working days, the union says it will call a total and indefinite shutdown of services at the university. That would affect the everyday running of the school, from records and administration to the support services students depend on, and could disrupt the academic session if it drags on.

For now, the strike is a warning. The next few days will show whether the state government opens fresh talks or holds to its position that the allowance starts in 2027.