SSANIP Threatens Strike Over Unpaid CONTTA, Unimplemented 2026 Agreement

By Bashir Mayere,Abuja

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) has threatened to embark on strike if their demands are not met.

The union, gave the warning in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Comrade Nura Shehu Gaya, FCAI, said it has formally resumed its earlier ultimatum to the Federal and State Governments with effect from Wednesday, 11th November, 2026.

In the statement the threat issued this Wednesday, following a meeting of its General Executive Council (GEC) in Abuja, over the continued non-payment of CONTTA and the non-implementation of the 2026 FG–SSANIP renegotiated agreement.

According to the release, if the outstanding demands are not addressed, SSANIP shall embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike from Monday, 16th to Wednesday, 18th November, 2026.

The General Executive Council expressed serious concern over the delay in the implementation of CONTTA and payment of arrears to members, despite repeated assurances by the Minister of Education that the funds had already been released and were domiciled in the accounts of the various institutions.

Ealier the Minister reiterated the assurance during the unveiling of the agreement on 13th October, 2026 and the inauguration of the Implementation and Monitoring Committee on 14th October, 2026.

“However, several weeks after these assurances, our members remain unpaid,” the union said.

SSANIP is also concerned about the failure to implement other critical provisions of the agreement, particularly the movement of non-teaching staff to CONTEDISS 15.

The union noted that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) is yet to provide adequate and clear implementation directives to Polytechnic Managements to facilitate the provision.

It therefore called on NBTE to emulate the National Universities Commission (NUC) by urgently communicating the contents of the agreement to the managements of Polytechnics to ensure timely and uniform implementation.

The GEC further resolved that the period from 19th to 24th November, 2026 shall serve as the final window for government to ensure payment of CONTTA and address other outstanding provisions of the agreement.

The Union further warned that Failure to do so, will result in an indefinite nationwide strike.

The union also announced a nationwide mass protest scheduled for Wednesday, 25th November, 2026, with highlight points at the NBTE Abuja Liaison Office, Federal Ministry of Education and the National Assembly.

The statement also charged all Zonal Coordinators, Chapter Chairmen and Branch Executives to commence immediate mobilisation of members.

SSANIP reiterated that the payment of CONTTA and implementation of the other provisions of the 2026 agreement are legitimate entitlements arising from a duly negotiated and signed agreement, not favours to be granted at the discretion of certain government officials.

It described as disturbing the repeated assurances by the Minister of Education that funds were already in institutional accounts, while eligible beneficiaries remain unpaid.

The union said it remains committed to constructive engagement and industrial harmony, but stressed that continued assurances without concrete action are no longer acceptable.

“The time for assurances is over; the time for payment and implementation is now!”