The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Sokoto State University (SSU) chapter, has commenced a five-day warning strike over the non-payment of staff entitlements by the Sokoto State Government.
The union also warned that it may embark on an indefinite strike if the government fails to address its demands at the end 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’s chairman, Ismail Bala Muhammed, and secretary, Mansur Ahmad, the union said it was compelled to withdraw its services after several attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue proved unsuccessful.
SSANU said its demands include 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 payment of outstanding check-off dues.
The union explained that it had held several meetings with the Commissioner for Higher Education, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and the Deputy Governor in an effort to secure government intervention.
It added that the government subsequently constituted a committee to engage university-based unions from Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education, but the discussions failed to produce any positive outcome.
According to SSANU, a meeting held with the government on October 9 ended without an agreement, as the government maintained that arrears from the 25 per cent salary increment would not be paid, while the implementation of CONTTA would commence in January 2027, subject to budgetary provision.
However, the union rejected the position, insisting that the allowance was a legitimate entitlement of its members. It argued 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.
SSANU further disclosed that it resubmitted its demands following a request by the Permanent Secretary but received no concrete response before the ultimatum expired.
The union appealed to Governor Ahmed Aliyu to personally intervene and ensure the immediate resolution of the dispute.
It also called on traditional rulers, parents, students and other stakeholders to prevail on the government to address the issues before the warning strike escalates.
The union warned that failure to meet its demands within the five-working-day warning period could force it to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of services at the university.