Operations in federal universities and inter-university centres across Nigeria are expected to be grounded as academic workers begin a nationwide strike on Friday
The action was announced by 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), following unresolved disagreements with the Federal Government.
In a letter dated April 30, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the unions said the strike would commence at midnight on May 1, 2026.
The correspondence, signed by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim, blamed the government for failing to conclude renegotiations and present a fresh offer on allowances.
“We write to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence and to equally appreciate the Honourable Minister of Education for withdrawing the contentious letter,” the unions stated, referring to an earlier circular on a proposed 30 per cent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance.
However, they said the withdrawal did not resolve the core issues in dispute.
“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 also complained that no alternative proposal had been presented after the withdrawal of the allowance plan.
“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Tools Allowance is acknowledged, no new offer has been made to supersede the 30 per cent allowances contained in the withdrawn letter,” they added.
According to the JAC, members had already mandated their leadership to take action if talks were not concluded 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 stated.
The unions said the decision to embark on industrial action became unavoidable after what they described as the government’s failure to resolve the matter through meaningful engagement.
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