The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has inaugurated its Branch at the Federal University of Education (FUE), Zaria, marking the successful transition of senior non-teaching staff of the university from the Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education (SSUCOEN) to the university-based union structure.
A statement signed by the media aide to the VC, Sani Lawal Maqarphy said the inauguration took place during a Special Congress held on Tuesday, 7th July, 2026, at the Dr. A. A. Ladan Hall, Federal University of Education, Zaria, where members elected a five-man Caretaker Committee to pilot the affairs of the Branch pending the conduct of substantive elections.
Addressing the Congress, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, described the inauguration of the University’s SSANU Branch as an epoch-making event in the history of the institution.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the leadership of SSUCOEN, particularly its Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Ibrahim, for maintaining cordial and constructive relations with the University Management, noting that issues affecting staff were always resolved amicably in the interest of both the institution and its workforce.
Prof. Bunkure attributed the prevailing industrial harmony in the University to mutual respect, cooperation and inclusive leadership, reaffirming the Management’s commitment to sustaining cordial relations with staff unions and promoting staff welfare.
He reassured non-teaching staff that the transition from a College of Education to a university would not adversely affect their appointments or conditions of service, explaining that the University’s enabling law adequately safeguards their positions.
The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the indispensable role of non-teaching staff in the administration of the University, noting that key offices such as those of the Registrar and the Bursar remain central to the effective governance and administration of the institution.
He encouraged members to democratically nominate credible individuals to serve on the Caretaker Committee and assured them that the Management would continue to comply with extant government regulations and circulars.
Prof. Bunkure described the Management and staff unions as partners in progress, urging those elected into the Caretaker Committee to regard leadership as a call to selfless service and discharge their responsibilities with integrity, accountability and the fear of God.
Prof. Bunkure appreciated the National Executive Council of SSANU for inaugurating the Branch at the University and expressed confidence that it would sustain the prevailing industrial harmony in the institution.
In his address, the National Vice-President of SSANU, North-West Zone, Comr. Sabo Balarabe Wudil, said the visit of the National Executive Council was to formally inaugurate the University’s Branch following its transition from a College of Education to a university.
Comr. Wudil commended members for their resilience, sacrifice, commitment and patience throughout the transition process and urged them to sustain the unity that had brought them thus far, without allowing personal interests to undermine the progress already made.
He expressed confidence that members of the defunct SSUCOEN would give maximum support to the new SSANU Branch, describing SSANU as one of the most peaceful unions in Nigerian universities, renowned for maintaining cordial relationships with university managements through dialogue, collective bargaining and constructive engagement.
The National Vice-President explained that the union’s constitution requires a minimum of 50 interested staff members before a new Branch can be inaugurated, disclosing that about 300 staff members of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, had already indicated interest in joining the union.
He stated that the Congress was convened to formally Inaugurate a branch of the union in the university and constitute a five-man Caretaker Committee to administer the affairs of the Branch for an initial period of three months, after which it would constitute a seven-man Independent Electoral Committee (IELCOM) to conduct elections into the substantive executive.
Comrade Wudil further explained that SSANU is a union of senior non-teaching professionals in Nigerian universities, including administrators, accountants, librarians, lawyers, medical doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, environmental officers, drivers, technical staff and security personnel, among others.
He clarified that employment in a university does not automatically confer SSANU membership, stressing that intending members must register and pay monthly union dues to qualify as financial members and enjoy the benefits and welfare services provided by the union.
Speaking on leadership and union politics, the National Vice-President urged members to place collective interest above personal ambition, stressing that leadership is about service, responsibility and sacrifice rather than personal gain.
He also advised the incoming leadership to prioritise continuous professional development through regular in-house training on Financial Regulations, Public Service Rules and administrative procedures to enhance professionalism, reduce administrative errors and strengthen the credibility of the union.
Earlier, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Suleiman Balarabe, welcomed members of the National Executive Council of SSANU to the University and urged the Congress to conduct itself in an orderly manner throughout the proceedings.
He described the Federal University of Education, Zaria, as an institution that has continued to distinguish itself as a pacesetter in teacher education and wished the delegates a successful stay in the University.
The Executive Council of SSUCOEN was subsequently dissolved by the Acting Registrar, Malam Shehu Iya Sa’idu, assisted by the Director of Legal Services, Barrister Hayatuddeen Aliyu, paving the way for the formal inauguration of the SSANU Branch.
Officials who accompanied the National Vice-President to oversee the process included the Chairman of the SSANU Branch, Ahmadu Bello University, Comrade Shuaibu Halilu Ahmed; the North-West Zonal Official, Comrade Mansur Garba; and the Chairman of the SSANU Branch, Bayero University, Kano, Comrade Mahfuz Z. Ibrahim.
The Congress was attended by principal officers of the University, members of the National Executive Council of SSANU, representatives of staff unions and members of Congress.
The five-member Caretaker Committee elected to pilot the affairs of the SSANU FUE Zaria Branch comprises: Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Ibrahim; Secretary, Comrade Ibrahim Danlami Kubau; Public Relations Officer, Abdulsa’ad Baba; Treasurer, Abubakar Muhammad Tsoho; and Member, Barr. Maryam Danfulani.
