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 in universities and inter-university centres across Nigeria to commence an indefinite strike from 12:00 a.m. on May 1, 2026.
The directive was contained in a circular dated April 30, 2026, and jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed H. Ibrahim.
According to the unions, the decision followed a meeting with the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, where discussions centred on the slow pace of renegotiating the 2009 agreements for non-teaching staff unions and their demand for the process to be concluded by April 30, 2026.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel O. Enitan; 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. Mrs. Angela Ajala, alongside other top government officials.
The unions said they rejected the 30 percent CONTTA award letter earlier in circulation.
They disclosed that although the government appealed for the strike notice to be withdrawn and later withdrew the 30 percent CONTTA award letter, no fresh offer was presented and no clear timeline was given for the conclusion of the renegotiation process.
The JAC stated that members had earlier resolved that only full approval of their demands, as contained in previous letters dated March 27 and April 18, 2026, would be acceptable.
“In view of this, we hereby direct our members to commence total and comprehensive strike action in all our universities and inter-university centres campuses from 12:00 a.m. of 1st May, 2026,” the statement read.
The unions further warned that national monitoring teams had been set up to ensure compliance with the strike directive.
In addition, NASU or SSANU branch in federal universities, state universities, or inter-university centres found granting concessions or violating the strike order would face severe sanctions, says the statement.
The strike is expected to affect administrative and support services across public tertiary institutions nationwide.
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