Operations across Nigeria’s federal universities and inter-university centers are set to face serious disruption as two major staff unions, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), have announced the start of an indefinite nationwide strike.
The decision was taken by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the two unions and formally communicated in a letter dated April 30, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.
According to the unions, the strike will begin at midnight on May 1, 2026, following what they described as the Federal Government’s failure to conclude ongoing negotiations and present a new offer on allowances for non-academic staff.
The letter was signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, who both stated that the decision followed extensive consultations with their members nationwide.
The unions explained that although they acknowledged the withdrawal of a controversial government circular proposing a 30 per cent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, the move did not address the main issues in dispute.
“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 added.
The unions further complained that no fresh proposal had been presented by the government to replace the withdrawn allowance, leaving negotiations at a standstill.
“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Tools Allowance is acknowledged, no new offer has been made to supersede the 30 per cent allowances contained in the withdrawn letter,” the statement said.
They stressed that their members had earlier given the leadership a deadline to act if the government failed to conclude negotiations by the end of April.
“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 described the industrial action as unavoidable, blaming the Federal Government for not taking decisive steps to resolve the matter through meaningful dialogue.
“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,” the union leaders said.
The strike is expected to affect administrative and support services across federal universities, including registration processes, record keeping, hostel management, and other essential services handled by non-academic staff.
Although academic activities are mainly handled by lecturers, the absence of non-teaching staff often brings university operations to a standstill, as key support systems become unavailable.
Nigeria’s university system has a long history of industrial disputes, with strikes by different unions often leading to prolonged disruptions in academic calendars. Students and parents have repeatedly expressed concern over the impact of such actions on learning and graduation timelines.
In recent years, strikes by university unions have been linked to demands for better funding, improved working conditions, and implementation of agreements reached with the government. Non-academic staff, in particular, have raised concerns about welfare packages, allowances, and what they describe as unequal treatment compared to other categories of workers in the system.
Education stakeholders warn that another round of disruption could further weaken confidence in Nigeria’s public university system, pushing more students to seek alternatives in private institutions or abroad.
Efforts by the government to reform the education sector have faced challenges, including funding constraints and competing national priorities. While there have been promises to improve conditions in universities, implementation has often been slow, leading to repeated disagreements with unions.
The current dispute over allowances highlights ongoing tensions between the government and university workers. The Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, which is at the centre of the disagreement, is seen by union members as an important part of their welfare and compensation.
Union leaders insist that addressing such issues is necessary to maintain morale and ensure efficient service delivery in universities.
For now, attention is on whether last-minute negotiations can still take place to resolve the dispute and suspend the strike. However, as of the time of the announcement, the unions indicated that no breakthrough had been reached.
Students across federal universities are already expressing concern about the possible impact of the strike, especially those nearing graduation or preparing for examinations.
Parents and guardians have also called on both parties to return to the negotiating table and find a solution that will prevent further disruption to the education system.
As the strike begins, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the situation develops and whether the government and unions can reach an agreement in the coming days.
The latest development once again underscores the fragile nature of Nigeria’s university system, where disputes between government and staff unions continue to affect stability and long-term planning.
For now, university campuses across the country are expected to experience reduced activity, with administrative functions largely suspended as non-academic staff withdraw their services.
Whether the strike will be short-lived or prolonged will depend on the willingness of both sides to engage and find common ground in resolving the issues at hand.