•Appeals to President Tinubu to expedite action

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has warned of an impending crisis in the nation’s public university system over the Federal Government’s continued delay in signing the re-negotiated 2009 agreement with the union.

The warning was issued on Thursday during the 79th Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting of the SSANU Western Zone held at the main campus of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

The meeting brought together the National Vice President and Chairman of the Western Zone, Comrade Abdussobur Olaiwola Salaam, alongside SSANU members from universities across the South-West and officials of the OOU branch of the union.

Deliberations at the meeting centred on the prolonged delay in concluding the renegotiated agreement, career progression for non-teaching staff, and workers’ welfare.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Salaam expressed concern over what he described as the Federal Government’s slow handling of the agreement, warning that members were becoming increasingly agitated.

“Our major concern is the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, which has taken far too long to conclude. Our members are becoming increasingly restless over the delay in signing the agreement.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to finalise all necessary arrangements and ensure the agreement is signed as quickly as possible,” he said.

Salaam, however, stressed that SSANU remained committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement rather than rushing into industrial action.

“SSANU is a trade union, and the fact that we are not belligerent does not mean we are weak. We believe in exhausting all peaceful mechanisms of engagement before resorting to industrial action.

“We are not a strike-happy union, nor are we eager to shut down universities at the slightest provocation. We believe many of the issues affecting the university system can be resolved amicably when all stakeholders act responsibly,” he added.

The union leader also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the worsening economic hardship in the country, saying the removal of fuel subsidy had further deepened the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

“We are not faulting the idea behind subsidy removal, but government must find practical ways to ease the suffering Nigerians are currently facing. The cost of transportation, feeding and living generally has become extremely high,” Salaam stated.

Warning of the dangers posed by the harsh economic realities, he said: “I do not believe it is the desire of any government to govern dead citizens. The goal should be to govern healthy and productive citizens. Sadly, many Nigerians can no longer meet their basic needs.”

On career advancement for university workers, Salaam described the implementation of CONTISS 15 for non-teaching staff at OOU as a major breakthrough capable of boosting morale and professional fulfilment.

“For years, many non-teaching staff stagnated on CONTISS 14, sometimes for over a decade, not because they lacked competence, but because there was no opportunity for progression.

“We commend Olabisi Onabanjo University for opening the pathway to CONTISS 15. This will enhance career fulfilment and motivate our members,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of SSANU at OOU, Comrade Adedeji Lamina, said the union’s appeal to the Federal Government was aimed at preventing avoidable disruption in the university system.

“The major takeaway from this meeting is our appeal to the Federal Government to urgently conclude the renegotiation of our agreement. Other university unions have had their agreements signed, and we are asking the government to do the same for us in order to avert a crisis in the university system,” Lamina said.

He also commended the cordial relationship between SSANU and the management of OOU, noting that several issues raised by the union had been addressed, including the recent approval of CONTISS 15 for non-teaching staff.

According to him, the existing mutual understanding between both parties has helped sustain industrial harmony within the institution. (The Nation, but headline reworked)