The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has directed its members nationwide to embark on a total and comprehensive strike beginning May 1, 2026.
The directive, issued in a circular dated April 30, 2026, followed a failed meeting between union leaders and the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, over lingering disputes, including the slow pace of renegotiating the 2009 agreement and unresolved welfare concerns.
The circular jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, signals another disruption in Nigeria’s university system already grappling with frequent industrial actions.
The circular, addressed to branch chairmen across universities and inter-university centres, stated that despite appeals by government officials to suspend the planned industrial action, no concrete offer was made to address the unions’ demands.
JAC noted that while the Federal Government withdrew the controversial 30 per cent Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Allowance (CONTTA) award letter earlier rejected by the unions, it failed to present a replacement offer or provide a clear timeline for concluding ongoing negotiations.
The circular partly reads: “The discussion centred on the slow pace of renegotiation of the 2009 agreements. It also highlighted our rejection of the 30 per cent CONTTA award letter in circulation.”
The meeting was attended by top government officials, including the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Abel Enitan; Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu; and the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Dr. Angela Ajala.
However, the unions maintained that the outcome fell short of members’ expectations, insisting that only the full implementation of their demands would avert the strike.
“Given the mandate of members that only the full approval of our demands would be acceptable, the leadership after due consultation resolved to stand by that mandate.*
The unions consequently ordered all members to withdraw their services across campuses nationwide effective 12:00 a.m. on May 1.
To enforce strict compliance, the unions disclosed that National Monitoring Teams have been constituted by the JAC to assess adherence to the strike directive across federal and state universities as well as inter-university centres.
It warned that any branch found undermining the industrial action or granting concessions would face severe sanctions.
“All NASU and SSANU members are hereby enjoined to comply with this directive for the survival of our existence in the system,” the circular stated, urging “total and unequivocal support” from members.