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 directed its members to embark on a total and comprehensive strike from May 1 following a deadlock in negotiations with the Federal Government.
The decision was reached after a meeting with the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and other senior government officials failed to produce a fresh offer or a clear timeline for concluding the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.
In a circular issued on Thursday, the unions said discussions at the meeting focused on the slow pace of renegotiation and their demand for its conclusion by April 30, 2026.
Although the government agreed to withdraw the controversial 30 per cent Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTTA) award letter, the unions said no alternative proposal was presented.
The unions reiterated their rejection of the 30 per cent CONTTA award, insisting on full implementation of their demands as outlined in earlier communications with the government.
They noted that while the government appealed for the strike notice to be rescinded, the absence of a concrete offer or commitment left them with no option but to proceed with the industrial action.
“In view of this, we hereby direct our members to commence total and comprehensive strike action in all our universities and inter-university centres from 12:00 a.m. of May 1, 2026,” the circular stated.
The unions also disclosed that monitoring teams had been set up to ensure compliance, warning that any branch found violating the directive would face sanctions.
They urged members across federal and state universities, as well as inter-university centres, to give full support to the strike.
The planned action is expected to disrupt activities across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions if no last-minute resolution is reached.
