Operations across federal universities and inter-university centres in Nigeria are set to be paralysed from Friday, following the decision of 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) to commence a nationwide strike.
The unions confirmed the industrial action 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, jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, stated that the strike would take effect from midnight on May 1, 2026.
According to the unions, although the minister withdrew the controversial circular proposing a 30 percent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, the move failed to address the underlying issues.
“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.
“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They further noted that no alternative proposal had been presented to replace the withdrawn allowance.
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“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Tools Allowance is acknowledged, no new offer has been made to supersede the 30 per cent allowances contained in the withdrawn letter,” the statement added.
The JAC disclosed that its members had earlier mandated the leadership to take decisive 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 inevitable, accusing the federal government of failing 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,” Adeyemi and Ibrahim stated.
