The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike across universities and inter-university centres beginning from midnight on May 1, 2026.
The decision was conveyed 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, stated that 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 an 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 added.
The unions noted that no alternative proposal had been presented to replace the withdrawn allowance.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Tools Allowance is acknowledged, no new offer has been made to supersede the 30 per cent allowances contained in the withdrawn letter,” they said.
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 described the strike as unavoidable, citing what they termed the government’s inability to resolve the dispute 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 industrial action is expected to halt administrative and support services in federal tertiary institutions, raising concerns over fresh disruptions in Nigeria’s university system.
Details later…