NASU, SSANU declare indefinite nationwide strike – THIS

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) have declared an indefinite nationwide strike in universities and inter-university centers from midnight on May 1, 2026.

The directive, contained in a circular dated April 30, 2026, jointly signed by NASU Secretary General, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed H. Ibrahim, follows the failure of negotiations between trade unions and the federal government on the persistent renegotiation of the 2009 agreement for non-teaching staff in tertiary institutions, as well as controversies surrounding the controversial Consolidated 30% Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure Adjustment (CONTTA).

Addressed to branch presidents of both unions in universities and inter-university centers nationwide, the circular called on members to initiate what it described as “total and comprehensive strike action”.

According to the unions, the decision was taken after an emergency meeting between JAC’s national management and senior officials of the federal government led by Education Minister Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa.

Other government officials present at the meeting included Additional Minister of Education Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel O. Enitan; the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Y. Ribadu; and Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr Angela Ajala, along with senior officials from other agencies and parastatals.

The unions said discussions at the meeting focused on the slow pace of renegotiating the 2009 agreements covering non-teaching staff unions and their demand that the process be concluded by 30 April 2026.

The JAC also reiterated its rejection of the federal government’s previously proposed 30% CONTTA premium, insisting that the offer was inadequate and failed to meet key union demands.

According to the circular, the federal government, while asking the unions to call off the planned strike, did not provide any new offer to replace the withdrawn CONTTA award letter nor did it provide a precise timeline for the completion of the renegotiation exercise.

“It is necessary to inform members that while the government group passionately appealed to the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU to cancel the strike notice, they also withdrew the 30% CONTTA award letter. However there was no new offer to replace the 30% CONTTA award, or a firm commitment as to when the renegotiation exercise would conclude,” the statement read.

The unions argue that their leadership is acting on the mandate previously given by members, which stipulates that only full approval and implementation of the demands contained in previous communications to the government will be acceptable.

“Given the mandate of the members that only full approval of our requests contained in our referenced letters JAC/NS/VOL.III/63 and JAC/NS/VOL.III/65 dated 27 March and 18 April 2026 respectively would be acceptable, the leadership after due consultation, has decided to maintain such mandate,” the circular adds.

Accordingly, NASU and SSANU have directed all members of federal and state universities, inter-university centers and related institutions to fully comply with the industrial action.

“In view of this, we call on our members to go on a full and global strike across all campuses of our universities and inter-university centers starting from midnight on 1 May 2026,” the unions said.

The unions also announced the establishment of national monitoring teams to monitor compliance with the strike on campuses nationwide. TThey warned that any sector found undermining the strike by granting concessions or violating the directive will face severe sanctions.

“All members of NASU and SSANU are required to comply with this directive for the survival of our existence in the system,” the statement read.