Juliet Ezeh
University activities across Nigeria face major disruption as the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have commenced an indefinite nationwide strike over unpaid allowances and stalled negotiations with the Federal Government.
The industrial action, declared by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of both unions, officially began at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, following what the unions described as the government’s failure to meet key demands relating to workers’ welfare and allowance adjustments.
In a formal letter dated April 30, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the unions outlined their grievances, citing prolonged delays in renegotiation talks and the absence of a concrete offer from the Federal Government.
The letter, jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, emphasized that the strike action was a direct response to unmet expectations and unresolved issues surrounding allowances for non-academic staff in Nigerian universities.
According to the unions, despite acknowledging the withdrawal of a controversial government circular that proposed a 30 percent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, the move failed to address the broader concerns raised by workers.
“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 stated.
However, they stressed that the withdrawal alone was insufficient to resolve the ongoing dispute.
“Despite this, the withdrawal did not resolve the core issues in dispute,” the letter added, highlighting that the absence of a replacement proposal has left workers dissatisfied and uncertain about their entitlements.
The unions further revealed that extensive consultations were held with members nationwide, during which a consensus was reached that the pace of renegotiation with the Federal Government was too slow and unacceptable.
“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 statement noted.
A major sticking point in the dispute is the lack of a new offer to replace the withdrawn allowance structure. According to the Joint Action Committee, the Federal Government has yet to present an alternative framework that addresses the financial concerns of non-academic staff.
“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 percent allowances contained in the withdrawn letter,” the unions said.
The leadership of NASU and SSANU made it clear that members had issued a directive mandating decisive action if negotiations were not concluded by the end of April 2026. With the deadline unmet, the unions activated their strike plan.
“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.
Describing the strike as unavoidable, the unions accused the Federal Government of failing to take proactive steps to prevent the crisis through meaningful dialogue and engagement.
The Joint Action Committee stated that all members across universities and affiliated institutions have been directed to fully comply with the strike directive, effectively halting administrative and support services in the country’s higher education system.
“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 union leaders declared.
The indefinite strike by NASU and SSANU is expected to significantly impact the operations of public universities across Nigeria, particularly in areas such as administrative services, student support, facility management, and technical operations.
Non-academic staff play a critical role in the day-to-day functioning of universities, ensuring that institutions run efficiently beyond classroom teaching. Their absence is likely to disrupt academic calendars, delay administrative processes, and affect students nationwide.
The development adds to the growing concerns about stability in Nigeria’s education sector, which has faced repeated disruptions over the years due to industrial actions by various unions.
Stakeholders in the education sector have expressed concern over the potential long-term implications of the strike, particularly as universities struggle to maintain academic schedules and deliver quality education.
The dispute also underscores broader challenges in labour relations between the Federal Government and university-based unions, especially regarding welfare, funding, and policy implementation.
Observers note that unresolved issues surrounding allowances and working conditions continue to fuel tensions, with unions increasingly resorting to strike actions as a means of pressing their demands.
As the strike begins, attention is now focused on the Federal Government’s next steps and whether urgent negotiations will be initiated to resolve the impasse and restore normalcy to university campuses.
For students and university communities, the indefinite nature of the strike raises uncertainty about the duration of the disruption and its impact on academic progress.
With both NASU and SSANU standing firm on their demands, the coming days will be critical in determining whether dialogue can resume and lead to a resolution acceptable to all parties.
Until then, Nigeria’s university system faces yet another period of disruption, as non-academic staff withdraw their services in pursuit of improved welfare and fair treatment.