The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities(SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union have confirmed the start of a nationwide strike, which will disrupt operations at federal universities and inter-university centers starting on Friday.
The unions conveyed their decision in a letter dated April 30, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, citing the Federal Government’s failure to conclude ongoing renegotiations and present a fresh offer on allowances.
The letter, signed by SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi, stated that the strike will start at midnight on May 1, 2026.
“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.
They added, “Despite this, the withdrawal did not resolve the core issues in dispute.
“The consensus outcome of the consultation is that the slow pace of the renegotiation process has not met our demands.”
The unions also said that no one had made an alternative proposal to replace the withdrawn allowance.
The JAC also claims that if the government did not complete talks by April 30, members had ordered the leadership to take action.
Additionally, the unions further said that because the administration was unable to prevent the problem through serious engagement, industrial action became unavoidable.
The strike will halt administrative and support functions in federal higher institutions and raise concerns about another round of disruptions in Nigeria’s university system.
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Meanwhile, just a month ago, the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) threatened to shut down public universities across the country.
ASUU threatened to do so, if the Federal Government of Nigeria does not immediately apply the recently approved compensation structure for university professors.
