NASU, SSANU begin indefinite strike over stalled allowance

Non-academic staff unions in Nigeria’s federal universities commenced an indefinite nationwide strike at midnight on Friday, following the Federal Government’s failure to conclude renegotiations on allowances before a self-imposed deadline.

The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities conveyed the decision in a letter dated April 30, 2026, addressed to Education Minister Tunji Alausa and signed by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim.

The unions said the strike became unavoidable after the government withdrew a circular proposing a 30 per cent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance without presenting any replacement offer.

“While the letter on the withdrawal of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance is acknowledged, no new offer has been made to supersede the 30 per cent allowances contained in the withdrawn letter,” the JAC stated.

The unions had mandated their leadership to proceed with industrial action if negotiations were not concluded by April 30. With no agreement reached by that date, they said all members were directed to commence a total and comprehensive strike from May 1.

The action is expected to cripple administrative and support services across federal universities and inter-university centres, dealing a fresh blow to Nigeria’s university system, which has been repeatedly disrupted by industrial disputes in recent years.