Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) will embark on a nationwide indefinite strike over the alleged inaction by the Federal Government to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 agreements for the non-teaching staff unions and the rejection of a 30 per cent pay rise for workers in the sector.
 
In a circular to all branch chairmen, NASU and SSANU in the universities and inter-university centres, and signed by the General Secretary, NASU, Peters Adeyemi, and President, SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, yesterday, the unionists lamented the slow pace of the renegotiation agreements, insisting that an industrial action is inevitable if their demand, if not concluded by April 30, 2026, is not met.
 
The national leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU said they held a meeting on Wednesday with the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, among other top government officials in the education sector, where they highlighted their demands and the rejection of the 30 per cent CONTTA award letter in circulation.
 
The unionists said while the government team passionately appealed to the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU to rescind the strike notice, they said there was, however, no new offer superseding the 30 per cent CONTTA award, or a definite commitment on when the renegotiation exercise would be concluded.
 
“However, given the mandate of members that only the full approval of our demands contained in our letters referenced JAC/NS/VOL.III/63 and JAC/NS/VOL.III/65 dated 27th March and 18th April 2026, respectively, would be acceptable, and leadership, after due consultation, resolved to stand by that mandate.
 
“In view of this, we hereby direct our members to commence total and comprehensive strike action in all our universities and inter-university centres campuses from 12:00 a.m. on May 1, 2026.
 
“All NASU and SSANU members are hereby enjoined to comply with this directive for the survival of our existence in the system,” the circular read.