Operations across federal universities and inter-university centres are set for disruption as the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has confirmed the commencement of a nationwide strike.
The industrial action is scheduled to begin at midnight on May 1, 2026, following what the unions described as the Federal Government’s failure to conclude renegotiations and present a fresh offer on allowances.
In a letter dated April 30, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the unions said consultations with members showed dissatisfaction with the pace and outcome of discussions.
The letter, signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, acknowledged the government’s withdrawal of an earlier circular proposing a 30 per cent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance. However, they stressed that the move failed to address the underlying issues.
“Despite this, the withdrawal did not resolve the core issues in dispute,” the union leaders said.
They further noted that no alternative proposal had been presented to replace the withdrawn allowance, leaving negotiations at a standstill.
“While the letter on the withdrawal of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance is acknowledged, no new offer has been made,” the statement added.
According to the unions, members had mandated their leadership to initiate industrial action if no agreement was reached by the end of April. With the deadline unmet, the strike has now been activated.
The JAC described the action as inevitable, citing what it called the government’s inability to avert the crisis through meaningful engagement.
As a result, administrative and support services in federal tertiary institutions are expected to be grounded, raising fresh concerns about disruptions in Nigeria’s university system, which has experienced repeated industrial actions in recent years.
