The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have served the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to resolve long-standing welfare disputes, threatening industrial action if demands for earned allowances and salary arrears go unmet.

In a joint letter dated September 12, 2025, addressed to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the unions expressed frustration over the government's inaction on issues raised in their June 18 correspondence.

Signed by SSANU President Muhammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi, the letter highlighted a July 4 meeting that promised a tripartite committee to address the skewed N50 billion earned allowances distribution, which shortchanged university non-academic staff while excluding inter-university centers. Despite a reminder on August 18, no progress has been made on withheld salaries for two months, 25-35% salary increments, or renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU agreement.

The unions noted that the government's renegotiation team, led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed and inaugurated on October 15, 2024, held an inaugural meeting with them on December 10 but has since stalled, while concluding talks with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). "The Federal Government team has refused to engage the non-teaching staff unions and even sidelined us despite fulfilling all justifications including re-submission of our Memoranda of Demands," the letter stated.

The ultimatum, effective from Monday, September 15, 2025, warns of "a series of legitimate industrial actions including strikes" if unresolved. SSANU's Ibrahim previously described any potential strike as the "grandfather of all strikes," underscoring the unions' resolve amid financial and psychological strain on members. 

The Ministry of Education has not issued an immediate response, but past engagements, including the July meeting, yielded pledges without follow-through.