ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Non-academic staff in Nigeria’s public universities have begun moves to suspend their ongoing nationwide strike, raising expectations for the restoration of full academic activities across campuses.
The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities directed its branches to initiate processes for suspending the strike effective Monday, May 11, 2026.
The decision followed a series of meetings between the unions and the Federal Government over unresolved demands, particularly issues relating to the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and staff welfare.
In a circular addressed to branch chairpersons and obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday morning, the unions stated that they had secured a firm commitment from the Federal Government to conclude all outstanding renegotiations within two weeks after suspending the industrial action.
The circular, jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, revealed that the breakthrough followed a key meeting with the Federal Government’s Expanded Renegotiation Committee chaired by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed.
According to the unions, the government explained that any additional review of its earlier offer would require the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
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“The leadership of JAC considered the passionate appeal for the suspension of the ongoing strike and also extracted a commitment from the FGN Expanded Renegotiation Committee that all renegotiations, including a reviewed offer of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), shall be concluded in two weeks from the date of the suspension of the strike,” the statement read.
It added that branch leaders had been instructed to convene congresses to brief members and ratify the decision.
“Branch leaders are hereby urged to note this appeal and convene congresses to report the above, for a suspension of the strike effective from Monday, 11th May, 2026, while other engagements with relevant stakeholders continue,” the unions said.
They also disclosed that ongoing discussions include the controversial 30 per cent salary increase under the CONTISS, which had earlier been proposed but later withdrawn by the government.
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The unions expressed appreciation to members for complying with the strike directive, describing the solidarity demonstrated nationwide as encouraging.
NASU and SSANU began the strike on May 1, 2026, over the Federal Government’s delay in concluding the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, which covers salaries, allowances, and general working conditions of non-academic staff in universities and inter-university centres.
The industrial action disrupted administrative activities in public universities, affecting student registration, documentation, hostel administration, and other key support services essential to the smooth operation of academic institutions.
The strike also heightened concerns over instability in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, which has experienced repeated disruptions in recent years due to disputes between university unions and the government.
Although academic staff were not directly involved in the latest action, the absence of non-teaching personnel significantly slowed campus operations, forcing many institutions into partial shutdowns.