Operations in 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 (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) begins a nationwide strike.
themomentng reports that the unions confirmed the planned industrial action in a letter dated April 30, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.
The letter was signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim.
Strike begins at midnight
The unions said the strike would commence at midnight on May 1, 2026, following the Federal Government’s failure to conclude ongoing renegotiations and present a fresh offer on allowances.
They acknowledged the withdrawal of an earlier contentious letter on a 30 per cent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance but said the action did not address their main grievances.
They said, “We write to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence and to equally appreciate the Honourable Minister of Education for withdrawing the contentious letter.
“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.”
The unions said no alternative proposal had been presented to replace the withdrawn allowance.
They stated, “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Tools Allowance is acknowledged, no new offer has been made to supersede the 30 per cent allowances contained in the withdrawn letter.”
According to the JAC, members had mandated the leadership to take action 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 strike became inevitable because the government failed to avert the crisis through meaningful engagement.
They added, “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.”
The industrial action is expected to affect administrative and support services in federal tertiary institutions, raising fears of another round of disruption in Nigeria’s university system.
