Fatimah Otunsanya
Operations across federal universities and inter-university centres are set to be disrupted from Friday as the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities confirmed the commencement of a nationwide strike.
The unions conveyed their decision in a letter dated April 30, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, citing the Federal Government’s failure to conclude ongoing renegotiations and present a fresh offer on allowances.
The letter, signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the strike would begin at midnight on May 1, 2026.
“We write to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence and to equally appreciate the Honourable Minister of Education for withdrawing the contentious letter,” the union leaders said, referring to the earlier circular on a 30 per cent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance.
“Despite this, the withdrawal did not resolve the core issues in dispute.
“The consensus outcome of the consultation is that our demand vis-à-vis the slow pace of the renegotiation process has not been met,” they said.
The unions added that no alternative proposal had been made to replace the withdrawn allowance.
“While the letter on the withdrawal of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance is acknowledged, no new offer has been made to supersede the 30 per cent allowances contained in the withdrawn letter,” they stated.
According to the JAC, members had mandated the leadership to act if the government failed to conclude negotiations by April 30.
“In view of this, with the agreement not concluded as at 30th April 2026, and with no new offer, the strike action shall commence by 12am on May 1, 2026,” the letter read.
The unions said the industrial action became inevitable following what they described as the government’s inability to avert the crisis through meaningful engagement.
“We hereby inform the Federal Government… that as a result of the failure of Government to avert the strike by positively acceding to our demands, all members… will commence total and comprehensive strike action by Friday, May 1, 2026,” Adeyemi and Ibrahim added.
The strike is expected to halt administrative and support services in federal tertiary institutions, raising concerns over another round of disruptions in Nigeria’s university system, which has faced recurring industrial disputes in recent years.
Details later…
