A fresh wave of industrial unrest may be brewing in Nigeria’s federal universities following the controversial disbursement of N50 billion recently released by the Federal Government to settle outstanding entitlements of university workers.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has vehemently rejected the allocation formula, which reportedly earmarks 80 per cent of the funds for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), leaving only 20 per cent for non-teaching staff, including SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

In a strongly-worded communiqué signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, the two unions expressed “deep displeasure, outrage, and firm rejection” of what they described as a lopsided and provocative formula.

“We have received, with utter disappointment, the information that 80 per cent of the sum has been allocated solely to ASUU, while the remaining 20 per cent is expected to be shared among SSANU, NASU, and NAAT,” the statement read. “This lopsided arrangement is grossly unfair, totally unacceptable, and capable of creating industrial disharmony.”

According to the unions, the formula not only undermines the critical role of non-academic staff but also reinforces an unjust dichotomy between teaching and non-teaching staff in the university system.

They insisted that non-teaching staff are not “second-class citizens” but are essential to the smooth running and development of the nation’s higher education institutions—contributing to administrative efficiency, technical support, research excellence, and institutional stability.

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

The unions warned that proceeding with the current formula without revision could spark widespread discontent and disrupt the fragile peace currently holding in the university system.

“It is unnecessary to remind the government of the pivotal roles played by non-teaching staff in stabilising our universities. We urge the Federal Government to review and reverse this unfair allocation,” the communiqué stated.

Both SSANU and NASU vowed to continue pressing for justice and equity, warning that they would not remain silent while their members are, in their words, “treated with disdain.”