NASU, SSANU begin indefinite strike over delayed renegotiation May 1
Academic activities in tertiary institutions may face fresh disruption as the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association
Academic activities in tertiary institutions may face fresh 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 directed members across the country to embark on a total and indefinite strike from 12:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026.
The industrial action follows the Federal Government’s alleged failure to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement, a long-standing issue between the unions and the government, despite renewed engagements aimed at resolving the impasse.
The unions said the decision was reached after last-minute talks with the federal government collapsed, accusing the authorities of delaying the renegotiation process and mishandling the contentious 30 per cent CONTTA (Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure) salary increment proposal.
The directive was jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President and JAC Chairman, Mohammed Ibrahim.
At the heart of the crisis is what the unions described as the government’s “unacceptable delay” in concluding the renegotiation process, alongside the controversial handling of the proposed 30 per cent CONTTA increment.
Read Also: Xenophobia: NiDCOM urges South Africa to protect Nigerians, other immigrants
A crucial meeting held on April 29 between JAC leaders and top government officials, including the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa; Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad; Permanent Secretary, Abel Enitan; and heads of key regulatory agencies such as the National Universities Commission and the National Commission for Colleges of Education, ended without a concrete resolution.
The unions said that although the government team appealed for them to suspend the strike notice and subsequently withdrew the widely criticised 30 per cent CONTTA offer, no alternative proposal or clear timeline for concluding negotiations was presented.
The unions, however, stood firm, citing a clear mandate from their members that only the full implementation of their demands—as contained in their letters dated March 27 and April 18, 2026—would be acceptable.
“With no new offer on the table and no definite commitment from the government, we have no option but to act in line with the directive of our members,” the circular stated.
The strike, described as “total and comprehensive,” affects all federal and state universities as well as inter-university centres across the country.
Furthermore, the unions disclosed that national monitoring teams have been deployed to ensure full compliance, adding that any branch found undermining the strike would face severe sanctions.
“All NASU and SSANU members are hereby enjoined to comply fully with this directive for the survival of our existence in the system,” the statement added.
