In a joint statement on Sunday in Abuja, the unions described the allocation model as “grossly unfair, provocative, and unacceptable”.

In April 2025, the federal government had the release of N50 billion to federal university academic and non-academic staff unions to settle all pending allowances.

In a statement by Peters Adeyemi, NASU general secretary, and Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU national president, NASU and SSANU said they are angered by the decision to allocate 80 per cent of the funds to the Academic Staff Union of Universities ().

The unions said the remaining 20 per cent were made to be shared among SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

A joint action committee of both unions warned that the distribution could deepen existing divisions between teaching and non-teaching staff in federal universities and potentially trigger industrial unrest.

“This is not about union rivalry but about fairness and recognition. The government must acknowledge the pivotal role of non-teaching staff in the stability and progress of Nigerian universities,” the statement reads in part.

The unions argued that non-teaching staff are integral to the functionality, administration, research, and development of the university system and should not be treated as second-class citizens.

They called on the federal government to urgently review and reverse the disbursement formula, saying failure to do so could lead to widespread dissatisfaction and a breakdown in industrial harmony.