The Joint Action Committee (JAC), representing the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), has officially directed its members to begin a total and comprehensive strike starting May 1, 2026.
This move follows a complete breakdown in negotiations with the Federal Government, specifically after a final meeting with the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, failed to yield a concrete offer or a definitive timeline for concluding the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.
Central to the dispute is the slow pace of renegotiation and the government’s failure to meet the unions’ April 30 deadline. While the government agreed to withdraw the controversial 30 per cent Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTTA) award letter, union leaders noted that no alternative proposal or financial commitment was presented in its place. The unions have remained steadfast in their rejection of the 30 per cent award, insisting instead on the full implementation of their original demands as outlined in previous communications.
In a circular issued to its branches, the JAC emphasized that although government officials appealed for the strike notice to be rescinded, the lack of a tangible offer left them with no other option but to proceed with industrial action. The strike, which is set to commence at 12:00 a.m. on May 1, will affect all federal and state universities, as well as inter-university centres across the country.
To ensure the strike is strictly observed, the unions have established monitoring teams to enforce compliance across all institutions.
The circular warned that any branch found violating the directive would face internal sanctions. With no last-minute resolution in sight, the planned action is expected to halt administrative and technical operations across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, leading to significant disruptions for students and faculty alike.
