RAYMOND OZOJI reports
The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have commenced total and comprehensive strike action nationwide over federal government alleged refusal to meet their demands.
Both bodies in a press statement jointly signed by the General Secretary of NASU Prince Peters Adeyemi and President of SSANU comrade Mohammed H. Ibrahim, maintained that the strike action will take effect from May 1, 2026 in all branches of the unions through out the federation and will persist until government attended to their demands.
The statement reads, " The national leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU held a meeting with the Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa.
The following government officials were at the meeting, the Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, Permanent Secretaries, Federal Ministry of Education Mr. Abel O. Enitan, the Executive Secretaries, National Universities Commission (NUC) Prof. Abdullahi Y. Ribadu, and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) Dr. Mrs. Angela Ajala as well as other top officials of other government parastatals and agencies.
The discussion at the meeting centred on the slow pace of renegotiation of 2009 agreement for the non-teaching staff unions and our demand for its conclusion not later than 30th April, 2026. It also highlighted our rejection of the 30% CONTTA award letter in circulation.
It is necessary to inform members that while the government team passionately appealed to the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU to rescind the strike notice, they have withdrawn the 30% CONTTA award letter. There was however no new offer superceding the 30% 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 as contained in our letters referenced JAC/NS/Vol.III/63 and JAC/NS/Vol.III/65, dated 17th March and 18th April, 2026 respectively would be acceptable, the leadership after due consultation, resolved to stand by that mandate.
In view of this, we hereby direct all our members to commence total and comprehensive strike action in our universities and inter-university centre campuses from 12:00 am of 1st May, 2026.
All NASU and SSANU members are hereby enjoined to comply with this directive for the survival of our existence in the system.
Please be informed that national monitoring teams have been set up by the national JAC to monitor the effectiveness of the strike.
Any branch of NASU and SSANU in the federal universities, inter-university centres as well as state universities found culpable of granting concessions or breaching the strike will be severely sanctioned. "
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