Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union across federal tertiary institutions have not received their April 2025 salaries, sparking concerns of neglect and discrimination.
The delay, according to union sources, may be linked to the recent migration of university-based unions from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System platform.
SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, expressed dismay over the situation in a letter addressed to the Accountant General of the Federation, dated May 7, 2025.
The letter, titled “Concern Over the Consistent Delay in the Payment of Monthly Salaries of University Workers,” was also copied to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa; Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi; and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.
Ibrahim described the continuous delay in salary payments as a violation of the 2022 agreement between the Federal Government and the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU, which led to the suspension of a prolonged strike.
“The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities writes to express our deep concern over the consistent delay in the payment of monthly salaries of university workers, particularly since our exit from IPPIS,” the letter read in part.
“It is regrettable that, since the migration to GIFMIS, salaries of our members are often paid two weeks after those of other federal workers. This delay, which has become routine, is not only an administrative lapse but a clear act of discrimination.
“A core clause in our 2022 agreement with the government was that no union member would be victimized for participating in the strike. This ongoing delay suggests a punitive response to our lawful actions and breaches that agreement.”
Ibrahim warned that the current trend could erode industrial harmony within the university system, urging the Accountant General to investigate and resolve the issue urgently.
“We therefore call on your office to urgently investigate and address this issue by ensuring that university workers receive their salaries in line with the general federal payment schedule. Any further delay will be interpreted as deliberate and may compel the union to take necessary steps to protect the rights and dignity of its members,” he stated.
Meanwhile, several university lecturers also confirmed the non-payment of April salaries.
A lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “We are the only category of federal workers yet to be paid. It’s unacceptable. This is May 7, and we still haven’t received our April salaries. The government must address this delay immediately.”