Academic and administrative activities have been paralysed at Sokoto State University following a five-day warning strike declared by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) over outstanding allowances and other welfare demands.
The union’s chapter said it would shut down the institution completely if the Sokoto State Government failed to meet its demands before the warning strike ended.
The strike started on Monday, November 2, after a 14-working-day ultimatum issued to the government on October 14 expired.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Ismail Bala Muhammed, and Secretary, Mansur Ahmad, the union said it was forced to down tools after several attempts at dialogue failed to produce results.
The union said, “Despite repeated engagements, appeals and consultations with relevant government authorities, no concrete action has been taken to address the legitimate demands of our members.”
SSANU listed its demands to include payment of arrears from the 25 per cent salary increment, approval and payment of the 35 per cent Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, CONTISS allowance, implementation of annual increments and release of outstanding check-off dues.
According to the union, it had met with the Commissioner for Higher Education, the Permanent Secretary and the Deputy Governor, after which the government set up a committee to interface with unions in Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education.
At a meeting on October 9, the government reportedly said it would not pay the arrears from the 25 per cent salary increment. It also said implementation of the tools allowance would only begin in January 2027 if it was captured in the budget.
The union rejected the offer, describing it as unsatisfactory. It added that, “Despite resubmitting our demands as requested by the Permanent Secretary, the government failed to take any concrete action before the expiration of the ultimatum.”
SSANU argued that the allowance was a legitimate right already enjoyed by academic staff and other categories of workers in state-owned tertiary institutions.
