SSANU, NASU members seek prayers over unpaid entitlements

GOMBE — Concerned members of the Joint Action Committee, JAC, of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, have urged the unions’ national leadership to declare nationwide interdenominational prayers over delayed salaries and other outstanding entitlements.

The members made the request in an open letter dated September 24, 2026, addressed to the National Executive Council, NEC, of JAC and signed by Arc. Usman Muhammad Othman on behalf of the concerned members.

They proposed Friday, October 2, and Sunday, October 4, 2026, for special prayers across university branches nationwide.

The letter, obtained in Gombe on Thursday, was also copied to the national presidents of SSANU and NASU and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC.

The members said the proposed prayers were intended to complement ongoing administrative and industrial engagements by the unions towards securing the implementation of approved entitlements and settlement of outstanding financial obligations owed to non-teaching staff in Nigerian universities.

They expressed concern over what they described as prolonged delays in implementing entitlements that had already received government approval, despite negotiations, meetings, official correspondence and assurances.

According to them, the prevailing economic hardship and rising cost of goods and services had increased the financial pressure on workers who had waited for months, and in some cases years, for outstanding payments.

The members identified five major areas of concern.

They listed the recently approved Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, CONTTA, arising from the renegotiated 2009 agreement, among the outstanding issues.

They alleged that the implementation circular and associated financial benefits, including the upgrade and arrears from January 2026 to date, were yet to be released to universities.

The members also raised concern over the remaining two months of salary arrears arising from the 2022 industrial action.

They said while four months had been paid, two months remained outstanding.

Another issue highlighted was the 12-month arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase.

The members said although the salary increase was approved in 2023 and payments had been made for some months, a 12-month balance remained outstanding.

They further complained about promotion arrears, saying many members promoted from 2020 to date were yet to receive the financial benefits attached to their promotions.

The letter also raised the issue of the first 28 days in lieu of hotel accommodation, which the members described as a statutory allowance that remained unpaid in some universities despite affected workers having resumed duty and made their own accommodation arrangements.

While acknowledging the efforts of the JAC leadership in pursuing the outstanding matters through administrative and industrial channels, the members said prayer could complement the union’s engagements.

“We have used the available administrative and industrial channels, and we will continue to support whatever decision NEC takes. But while we wait for the next line of action, I also believe there is a place for prayer,” the letter stated.

They therefore urged the JAC NEC to officially declare Friday, October 2, for Muslim members to use their Juma’at prayers for special supplications for the release of funds and settlement of the outstanding entitlements.

They similarly appealed to Christian members to use their Sunday services on October 4 for intercessory prayers towards resolving the outstanding demands.

The concerned members stressed that the proposed prayer sessions should not be regarded as a substitute for negotiations or any lawful industrial action that JAC might consider.

Rather, they described the initiative as a spiritual complement to the unions’ administrative and industrial efforts, saying a coordinated prayer exercise would help sustain members’ hope while they await practical resolution of the issues.

The members also appealed to the JAC leadership to issue a circular to all branch chairmen nationwide to enable members to participate in the proposed prayers in a coordinated manner.

They expressed confidence in the JAC leadership and pledged continued support for decisions taken in the interest of university non-teaching staff.