A major breakthrough may be underway in the ongoing industrial dispute involving non-academic staff in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, as the Federal Government and union leaders have moved closer to ending the strike following a series of high-level interventions and policy reversals.
Fresh documents obtained on Tuesday show that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, formally withdrew an earlier letter that suggested approval of a 30 per cent increase in the consolidated salary structure for non-academic staff. The withdrawal, according to the ministry, was necessary to allow for “further consultation and alignment” with established procedures.
In a letter dated April 29, 2026, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Abel O. Enitan, the government clarified that the controversial salary increase communication, which had circulated widely on social media, did not represent a concluded or properly approved decision. The ministry emphasized that ongoing negotiations must follow due process and align with extant policies.
The development initially heightened tensions within the university system, as members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) had already commenced strike action on May 1, 2026, citing unmet demands and delays in renegotiating the 2009 agreement.
However, in a swift response to the escalating situation, the Federal Government expanded its negotiation efforts. The FGN Expanded Tertiary Institutions Negotiation Committee, chaired by Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, engaged union leaders in fresh talks and issued a strong appeal for the suspension of the ongoing industrial action.
In a letter dated May 5, 2026, the committee urged the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU to call off the strike to enable a “logical and amicable conclusion” of negotiations. The committee expressed concern over the adverse impact of the strike on the Nigerian university system and stressed the urgency of resolving outstanding issues.
It further assured that all pending matters, including a reviewed offer on the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), could be finalized within two weeks if the unions suspend the strike.
Following this appeal, the leadership of NASU and SSANU held a crucial meeting with the government’s renegotiation team on the same day. In a circular issued to branch chairmen nationwide, the Joint Action Committee disclosed that it had secured commitments from the government to fast-track negotiations and conclude all outstanding issues within the proposed two-week timeframe.
The unions also revealed that any revised government offer would require the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before finalization, signaling that discussions have reached a critical stage.
Consequently, union leaders have directed branch executives to convene congresses and brief members on the latest developments, with a recommendation to suspend the strike effective Monday, May 11, 2026, while negotiations continue.
The JAC leadership described the government’s appeal as “passionate” and expressed cautious optimism over the renewed commitment to resolving the dispute. It also commended members for their compliance and solidarity throughout the strike period.
The unfolding developments suggest a potential resolution to the impasse that has disrupted activities across federal universities in recent days. Stakeholders in the education sector are now watching closely to see whether the proposed suspension will hold and if the government will fulfill its promise to conclude negotiations within the stipulated timeframe.
If implemented, the suspension could mark a turning point in the long-running dispute and restore stability to Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
