The Federal Government has released withheld salaries of members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) who threatened to paralyse academic activities on various campuses.

The government, which was given a 14-day ultimatum over the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement, released eight months out of the salary arrears the workers are being owed.

SSANU had demanded the immediate release of funds and full payment of outstanding Consolidated University Teaching and Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTTA) arrears calculated from January 1, 2026.

The demands were contained in a communiqué issued after its 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during the weekend.

The union had warned that failure by the Federal Government to meet its demand within 14 days would compel the union to resume a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action” without further notice.

The ultimatum also demanded payment of two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 industrial action and one-year arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.

In apparent reaction to the threat, less than 48 hours after the union made its position public, the Federal Government released the eight months’ arrears, averting an imminent disruption of academic activities across Nigerian universities.

Confirming the release of the eight months arrears, SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, told journalists that his members would soon start receiving alerts.

He described the development as a demonstration that constructive engagement, when matched with prompt action, can protect industrial harmony and workers’ welfare.

The labour particularly lauded Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa’s efforts for his intervention and for keeping to his promise to facilitate the release of the funds.

Mohammed advised members of the union in their various branches to liaise with the management of their universities to ensure prompt and judicious payment and report back any shortfall.

Before the ultimatum was issued, the minister reportedly contacted SSANU’s national president, Ibrahim, to confirm that the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation were processing the funds for release.

SSANU said the minister’s proactive engagement, followed by actual release of the arrears, reflected a commendable departure from the usual delay in implementing negotiated agreements.

The union, however, urged the Federal Government to sustain this responsive approach in settling all remaining entitlements of university workers.

Despite the release of the eight months’ arrears, SSANU maintained that the Federal Government must still settle the outstanding two months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 strike and the one-year arrears from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.

The union described the obligations as legitimate entitlements that should not be subjected to further delay.

NEC had also called on state governments and governing councils of state-owned universities to ensure full, equitable and properly funded implementation of the agreement, warning that selective or delayed implementation could fuel unrest in the university system.

While welcoming the government’s action, SSANU reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement and industrial peace.

It, however, insisted that it would deploy all lawful and constitutional means to protect the rights, welfare and professional advancement of its members where agreements are not faithfully implemented.

The union said the prompt settlement of the arrears had strengthened confidence that constructive engagement between government and university-based unions could deliver tangible results for workers, students and the wider Nigerian University System.

There was drama in the early hours of Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti as staff and students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) mobilised to the residence of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, after policemen reportedly arrived there in an attempt to arrest him.

The Vice-Chancellor had raised the alarm after policemen surrounded his official residence, although the reason for their presence was initially unclear.

According to report,the development attracted members of the university community, including academic and non-academic staff as well as students, who gathered at the residence in solidarity with Ogunwole and opposed what they described as an attempt to arrest him.

Speaking to journalists at his residence, Ogunwole said the policemen arrived at about 6:10am, shortly after he had gone to bed at about 3am. He said his children woke him after noticing security personnel around the house.

The Vice-Chancellor said he initially declined to come out because he was unsure whether the men were genuine police officers and wanted to establish the reason for their presence.

He said the policemen later told him they had a warrant, but he insisted that he would not leave the residence without being properly informed of the basis of the arrest.

Ogunwole linked the development to a petition allegedly written by some individuals connected with the university, including his predecessor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, and a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Kehinde Adeola.

He said the dispute arose from an audio recording which he alleged had been leaked, prompting the university management to ask those involved to appear before an investigative committee to explain its contents.

According to him, the matter had subsequently gone to court, while he had also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he described as threats to his life and workplace.

Ogunwole said he had instructed his lawyers to approach the police and explain that the matter was already before the court, adding that he remained available to respond to any lawful invitation.

“Somebody of my calibre would not run away anywhere. Rather than surrounding my house, there are other better approaches to invite me,” he said.

“There is no turning back. Our mission is to create a new face for FUOYE. No U-turn, no diversion. We are resolute.”

Also speaking, the FUOYE branch chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Ojo Fagbuagun, said the union mobilised to the residence to oppose what he described as an attempt to intimidate the Vice-Chancellor.

Fagbuagun alleged that some individuals associated with the university’s previous administration were opposed to changes being introduced by Ogunwole.

He also alleged that there had been irregularities, including “illegal promotion, abnormal promotion” and “mismanagement of funds,” but did not provide evidence to support the allegations during the interview.

Fagbuagun further accused the former Vice-Chancellor, Fasina, of resorting to police petitions rather than internal mechanisms to resolve disputes within the university.

The Chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), FUOYE branch, Comrade Oluwashola Babafemi, said members of the association were at the residence to protect what he described as the peace and progress being experienced under the current administration.

Babafemi said Ogunwole had made himself accessible to staff and paid attention to their welfare, adding that the association did not want anything capable of disrupting the university’s current direction.

Similarly, the branch secretary of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Comrade Emmanuel Adegun, said members were alerted that police officers had arrived at the Vice-Chancellor’s residence and might attempt to take him away.

He said the union decided to mobilise to the residence to show solidarity with Ogunwole.

Also reacting, the Director of Public Affairs and Communication of the university, Dr Sunday Saanu, described the police action as “mischievous,” claiming that the Vice-Chancellor had earlier honoured a police invitation.

“Thereafter, the Vice-Chancellor instructed his lawyers to represent him. It was therefore shocking to see the police at the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, saying they needed him,” Saanu said.

Addressing workers on Wednesday, Ogunwole said his administration would not be distracted by what he described as “noise in the marketplace.”

“This is a passing phase. FUOYE will rise beyond the current resistance of the forces of darkness,” he added.

The Katsina State Government has rewarded the state’s best-performing primary school teacher for 2026 with a brand-new Peugeot 206.

The awardee, Hadiza Nazifi of Bayajidda Memorial Primary School, Daura, received the vehicle from the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Kabir Magaji, at the board’s headquarters.

Presenting the vehicle to the awardee, Magaji said she was recognised as the “Best Primary School Teacher” in the state for her dedication to duty, diligence, resilience, punctuality and outstanding commitment to teaching and learning.

He explained that her selection was endorsed by the award committee as well as internal and external evaluators who assessed her performance.

He added that the initiative was part of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda-led government to recognise and reward outstanding civil servants, while promoting excellence and professionalism in the state’s public service.

Magaji congratulated the primary school teacher for her achievement and urged her to sustain the standard that earned her the state-wide recognition.

He also called on teachers across the state to rededicate themselves to their duties and contribute to improving the quality of basic education in the state.

Describing teachers as indispensable partners in the development of the education sector and the overall progress of Katsina State, the SUBEB boss warned them against absenteeism