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, has confirmed the commencement of a nationwide strike across federal universities and inter-university centres from Friday, May 1, 2026.
The unions disclosed this in a letter dated April 30, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.
The letter, jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the strike would begin at midnight on May 1 over the Federal Government’s failure to conclude renegotiation talks and present a fresh offer on allowances.
“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 while referring to the earlier circular on a 30 per cent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance.
The unions, however, noted that the withdrawal of the circular did not address the major issues in dispute.
“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 stated.
JAC further lamented that the government had yet to make a fresh proposal to replace the withdrawn allowance package.
“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Tools Allowance is acknowledged, no new offer has been made to supersede the 30 per cent allowances contained in the withdrawn letter,” the letter added.
According to the unions, members had earlier directed the leadership to embark on industrial action if negotiations were not concluded before April 30.
“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 read.
The unions said the strike became inevitable following the Federal Government’s inability to address their demands through meaningful negotiations.
“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 by Friday, May 1, 2026,” Adeyemi and Ibrahim added.
The industrial action is expected to disrupt administrative and support services in federal tertiary institutions across the country.
