ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have suspended their ongoing nationwide strike for two weeks, effective Monday, May 11, 2026.

The decision to suspend the strike action followed a series of engagements between the unions and the Federal Government over unresolved demands, particularly the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, salary review, and welfare-related concerns affecting non-academic staff in public universities.

National President of SSANU and Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, confirmed the development in an interview with Nigerian Tribune on Sunday, saying the National Executive Councils of both unions had directed branches nationwide to commence processes for the suspension of the industrial action.

According to him, the decision was taken after the unions secured what he described as a firm commitment from the Federal Government to conclude all outstanding renegotiations within two weeks of suspending the strike.

He confirmed that the 30 per cent wage award earlier approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and rejected by the unions has been withdrawn, noting that the Federal Government’s Expanded Renegotiation Committee led by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed has pleaded for time for President Tinubu to return to the country to give approval to the new offer.

In a circular addressed to branch chairpersons, jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, the unions said the breakthrough followed a crucial meeting with the Yayale Ahmed led committee.

The unions said government representatives explained that any further review of the earlier salary offer would require the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is currently out of the country.

“The leadership of JAC considered the passionate appeal for the suspension of the ongoing strike action 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 circular stated.

The unions also directed branch leaders 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 added.

Speaking further, Mohammed Ibrahim said the unions took the decision after considering appeals from students, parents, and other stakeholders in the education sector, as the impact of the industrial action had severely disrupted activities across university campuses nationwide.

“We are suspending the ongoing strike effective tomorrow, Monday, May 11, 2026, following the directive of the National Executive Councils of the unions. We have directed all branches across the country to review the Federal Government’s latest offer,” he said.

He disclosed that part of the ongoing discussions involved the withdrawal of an earlier salary increase proposal by the government.

“The relevant government committee informed the association that the earlier proposed salary increase has been withdrawn. Taking this into consideration, alongside appeals from Nigerians and other stakeholders, we have decided to suspend the strike,” he stated.

Ibrahim noted that the strike had significantly disrupted activities in public universities, affecting examinations, administrative operations, campus utilities, healthcare services, and student welfare.

He warned, however, that the unions would resume industrial action if the Federal Government failed to fulfill its commitments within the two-week period.

“If, after the two weeks, the government fails to meet the expectations of the union or the agreement is not ready for signing, we will have no option but to return to the trenches,” he said.

The strike, which commenced in early May, had crippled operations in public universities across the country, with institutions including the University of Maiduguri reportedly postponing examinations and essential campus services disrupted due to the withdrawal of non-academic staff services.

The industrial action was triggered by the Federal Government’s delay in concluding the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement covering salaries, allowances, and general working conditions of non-academic staff in universities and inter-university centres.

The latest development is expected to bring temporary relief to students and university administrators, while stakeholders await the outcome of the renewed negotiations between the unions and the Federal Government.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa had reaffirmed the commitment of the current administration to industrial peace and harmony across tertiary institutions across the country.

This commitment, according to him, led to the the conclusion of the renegotiation of 2009 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The new agreement was reached on 23 December 2025, it was formally signed and unveiled on Wednesday, 14 January 2026 in Abuja, marking a 16-year impasse.

The agreement became effective from January 1, 2026 with 40 per cent upward review of the emoluments of university academic staff, featuring a Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA).

The government also approved N10 billion for the stabilization and restoration of universities, to be disbursed in three annual installments from 2026 to 2028.