From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Activities across universities in the country are set to be disrupted following the commencement of a nationwide strike by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
The Joint Action Committee of both unions directed members to embark on a total and comprehensive industrial action from midnight today, May 1, after negotiations with the Federal Government failed to yield a concrete agreement.
The directive was contained in a notice dated April 30, 2026, which was signed by NASU’s General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyémi and SSANU’s President, Mohammed Ibrahim.
The decision followed months of unresolved discussions over the renegotiation of the 2009 agreements for non-teaching staff in the universities and inter-university centres.
Earlier, SSANU had issued a final deadline of April 30, for the Federal Government to conclude the renegotiation process or face an indefinite shutdown of universities nationwide.
In a communiqué after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the union clarified that talks with the government were still ongoing and had not been concluded, contrary to claims in some quarters.
The union also dismissed reports suggesting that a 30 percent increase in allowances had been approved, insisting that no such agreement had been finalised.
SSANU maintained that it would not accept any outcome that falls short of the understanding reached during negotiations, stressing the need for fairness, due process and respect for collective bargaining.
It added that attempts to portray the process as completed were misleading, particularly the circulation of a letter suggesting approval of a 30 percent allowance increase.
Following the expiration of the ultimatum yesterday, without a definitive agreement, the unions proceeded with the strike, warning that only full approval of their demands would lead to a suspension of the action.
The unions also revealed that the government’s representatives had withdrawn the controversial 30 percent allowance proposal during a recent meeting with officials, but failed to present a new offer or timeline for concluding negotiations.
As part of the enforcement measures, the unions said that national monitoring teams had been deployed to ensure compliance across universities, warning of sanctions for any branch that fails to adhere to the directive.
Both unions insisted that the strike was necessary to safeguard the welfare and dignity of their members, urging workers to remain united and resolute until their demands were met.
The notice read: “The national leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU & SSANU held a meeting yesterday with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
“The following government officials were also at the meeting, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad; the Permanent Secretaries, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel O. Enitan; the Executive Secretaries, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Y. Ribadu and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr. Angela Ajala, as well as other top officials of other government parastatals and agencies.
“The discussion at the meeting centred on the slow pace of renegotiation of 2009 agreements for the Non-Teaching Staff Unions and our demand for its conclusion not later than April 30. It also highlighted our rejection of the 30 percent CONTTA award letter in circulation.
“It is necessary to inform members that while the government team passionately appealed to the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU to rescind the strike notice, they have also withdrawn the 30 percent CONTTA award letter. There was, however, no new offer superseding the 30 percent CONTTA award or a definite commitment on when the renegotiation exercise would be concluded.
“However, given the mandate of members that only the full approval of our demands as contained in our letters referenced JAC/NS/VOL.III/63 and JAC/NS/VOL.III/65 dated March 27 and April 18, respectively, would be acceptable, the leadership, after due consultation, resolved to stand by that mandate.
“In view of this, we hereby direct our members to commence total and comprehensive strike in all our universities and inter-university centre campuses from 12am on May 1, 2026.
“All NASU & SSANU members are, hereby, enjoined to comply with this directive for the survival of our existence in the system.
“Please, be informed that National Monitoring Teams have been set up by the National JAC to monitor the effectiveness of the strike. Any branch of NASU & SSANU in the Federal Universities, Inter-University Centres as well as State Universities found culpable of granting concessions or breaching the strike will be severely sanctioned. We solicit your total and unequivocal support in this struggle.”
