The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) yesterday said the union is due for salary increase. 

A statement by its National President, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, said the pay rise has become necessary because of the current economic reality in Nigeria. 

He recalled that a 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and the varsity workers, under the auspices of Joint Action Committee (JAC), would be reviewed in July. 

Ugwoke spoke at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union held at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) and a three-day training programme held at the Michael Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, for its members.

The theme of the programme is: Trade Union Leadership and the Challenges of Personal Income Tax in Nigeria. 

The SSANU National President said the unions, under the JAC, are the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU); the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT); and the SSANU.

According to him, they separately signed the agreement, following a protracted national strike in 2009. 

Ugwoke said Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole brokered the peace that led to the signing of the agreement between the Federal Government Committee, led by Gamaniel Onashode, and the unions, led by Comrade Promise Adewusi, who was then the SSANU President; Comrade Peters Adeyemi, NASU General Secretary; and Comrade Lateef Jokomba, who was NAAT President.