NASU, SSANU declare nationwide strike over unresolved allowance dispute
Action to halt non-academic services across federal universities from May 1
Unions fault FG for slow renegotiation, failure to present fresh offer
Academic and administrative activities across Nigeria’s federal universities are set for disruption as 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) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike.
The industrial action, scheduled to commence at midnight on May 1, 2026, follows what the unions described as the Federal Government’s failure to conclude renegotiations and present a new offer on allowances.
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In a letter dated April 30 and addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, union leaders said the withdrawal of an earlier circular proposing a 30 per cent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance did not resolve the underlying issues.
“We write to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence… despite this, the withdrawal did not resolve the core issues in dispute,” the statement read.
The letter, signed by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim, noted that no alternative proposal had been presented to replace the withdrawn allowance.
“While the letter on the withdrawal… is acknowledged, no new offer has been made to supersede the 30 per cent allowances contained in the withdrawn letter,” they stated.
The unions said members had earlier mandated their leadership to act if the government failed to meet their demands by April 30.
“In view of this… with no new offer, the strike action shall commence by 12am on May 1, 2026,” the statement added.
They further described the strike as unavoidable, blaming what they called the government’s inability to avert the crisis through meaningful engagement.
“We hereby inform the Federal Government… that as a result of the failure… all members will commence total and comprehensive strike action,” the union leaders said.
The strike is expected to halt administrative and support services across federal universities and inter-university centres, potentially disrupting academic operations nationwide.
