Non-academic staff in Nigeria’s public universities have initiated steps to suspend their ongoing nationwide strike, signaling a possible return to full academic activities across campuses.
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 instructed its branches to begin processes for suspending the industrial action effective Monday, May 11, 2026.
The development follows a series of engagements between the unions and the Federal Government over unresolved issues, particularly the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and concerns surrounding staff welfare.
In a circular issued to branch chairpersons and obtained on Wednesday, the unions disclosed that the decision was based on a firm assurance from the Federal Government to conclude all pending renegotiations within two weeks of suspending the strike. The document, jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, noted that progress was made after a key meeting with the government’s Expanded Renegotiation Committee led by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed.
According to the unions, the government indicated that any adjustment to its previous offer would require the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The leadership of JAC considered the appeal for the suspension of the strike and secured a commitment from the Federal Government that all renegotiations, including a reviewed offer on the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), will be finalised within two weeks of suspending the strike,” the statement noted.
Branch leaders have also been directed to hold congresses to brief members and ratify the proposed suspension. The unions urged compliance with this directive while discussions with relevant stakeholders continue.
The statement further revealed that ongoing negotiations include talks around a proposed 30 per cent salary increase under CONTISS, which had earlier been introduced but later withdrawn by the government.
NASU and SSANU expressed appreciation to their members for the level of solidarity demonstrated during the strike, describing the nationwide compliance as commendable.
The strike, which began on May 1, 2026, was triggered by delays in renegotiating the 2009 agreement covering salaries, allowances, and overall working conditions of non-academic staff in universities and inter-university centres.
The industrial action significantly disrupted administrative functions across public universities, affecting key operations such as student registration, documentation, hostel services, and other essential support systems necessary for smooth academic activities.
Although academic staff were not directly involved, the absence of non-teaching personnel slowed down campus operations, forcing many institutions into partial shutdowns and adding to ongoing concerns about instability in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
