The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has strongly criticized the Federal Government’s distribution formula for the recently approved ₦50 billion earned allowances for university-based unions, describing it as unjust and divisive.

In a joint statement issued on Sunday and signed by SSANU President Muhammed Ibrahim and NASU President Peters Adeyemi, the unions expressed deep dissatisfaction with how the funds are being allocated between academic and non-academic staff, warning that the move could fracture the already fragile industrial peace within the nation’s tertiary education system.

Unequal Distribution Sparks Outrage

The ₦50 billion allocation, recently released by the Federal Government, was intended to address part of the backlog of earned allowances owed to staff across public universities. However, according to SSANU and NASU, the formula adopted for distributing these funds heavily favours academic staff—particularly members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)—while significantly shortchanging non-teaching personnel.

Calling the sharing method “grossly unfair” and “totally unacceptable,” the unions demanded an urgent review and reversal of the formula, insisting that the current model promotes inequality and undermines the role of non-academic staff in university administration and development.

“This is not a contest of supremacy among unions,” the statement noted. “Rather, it is about fairness, recognition, and the equitable treatment of all workers who form the backbone of the Nigerian university system.”

Warning of Potential Crisis

SSANU and NASU cautioned that the continued marginalisation of non-teaching staff would likely trigger industrial disharmony and intensify tensions within the university system. According to the unions, the existing formula risks deepening the longstanding division between teaching and non-teaching staff—a dynamic that has repeatedly caused friction in the sector.

“The distribution is capable of creating industrial disharmony and accentuating the teaching/non-teaching dichotomy in Nigerian universities,” the unions warned. “This dichotomy is not only unnecessary but also detrimental to the collaborative environment required for universities to function effectively.”

They pointed out that while lecturers play a visible role in teaching and research, the smooth operation of the university system depends heavily on the contributions of non-academic staff who ensure that administrative, technical, and support functions are carried out efficiently.

Non-Academic Staff: Critical Yet Undervalued

Reaffirming the importance of their members, SSANU and NASU reminded the government that non-teaching personnel are not second-class citizens, but integral stakeholders whose work is indispensable to the day-to-day functionality of the universities.

“Non-teaching staff of Nigerian universities are not second-class citizens but are critical stakeholders who contribute immensely to the administrative efficiency, technical operations, research support, and overall development of the Nigerian university system,” the statement asserted.

They stressed that consistently relegating these staff members in critical financial decisions such as earned allowances creates a culture of disrespect and disenfranchisement within the system.

Calls for Inclusive Dialogue and Equity

The unions urged the Federal Government to engage in sincere dialogue with all university-based unions to reach an equitable solution. They argued that only a fair and balanced approach to issues affecting university staff can prevent a relapse into industrial actions that have repeatedly disrupted academic calendars and affected student outcomes.

“A harmonious and productive academic environment can only be achieved when all stakeholders are treated with respect, dignity, equity, and fairness,” the unions concluded.

A History of Marginalisation

This is not the first time non-academic unions in Nigeria’s public universities have raised concerns over being sidelined in critical financial allocations. In past disbursements of earned allowances or revitalisation funds, SSANU and NASU have frequently accused the government of prioritising ASUU, while ignoring the legitimate claims of other staff categories.

The tension over earned allowances is just one of several ongoing grievances in Nigeria’s university sector. Issues such as incomplete salary payments, lack of implementation of previous Memoranda of Understanding, and exclusion from key decision-making processes have remained contentious.

The 2022 strike by SSANU and NASU—which lasted for over four months—was also largely driven by frustration over the non-payment of allowances and unmet agreements.

Future Implications: Threat of Fresh Disruptions

Unless the Federal Government moves quickly to address these latest concerns, the fragile calm currently prevailing in Nigerian universities may not last. Already, SSANU and NASU have hinted that failure to reverse the perceived injustice could reignite industrial actions, putting academic stability at risk once again.

As students, parents, and educational stakeholders continue to hope for lasting peace and productivity in the tertiary education sector, the need for the government to treat all university unions equitably has become more urgent than ever.

With the ₦50 billion disbursement now the subject of controversy, the ball is squarely in the court of the Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities to rethink the allocation strategy, engage with affected parties, and ensure a distribution process that promotes fairness and inclusion rather than division.