NASU, SSANU Declare Nationwide Strike, To Shut Down Federal Universities From May 1

Operations across federal universities and inter-university centres are expected to grind to a halt as the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has announced a nationwide strike commencing at midnight on May 1, 2026.

The decision was conveyed in a letter dated April 30, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa. The correspondence, signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, cited the Federal Government’s failure to conclude ongoing renegotiations and present a new offer on allowances as the primary trigger for the industrial action.

While acknowledging the Minister’s decision to withdraw the earlier circular proposing a 30 per cent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, the unions insisted that the move did not address the underlying issues.

“Despite this, the withdrawal did not resolve the core issues in dispute. The consensus outcome of the consultation is that our demand vis-à-vis the slow pace of the renegotiation process has not been met,” the unions stated.

They further pointed out that no fresh proposal had been presented to replace the withdrawn offer. “While the withdrawal is acknowledged, no new offer has been made to supersede the 30 per cent allowance contained in the withdrawn letter,” the statement added.

According to the JAC, the Federal Government failed to meet the deadline given to resolve the impasse, leaving the unions with no option but to proceed with the strike.

“With the agreement not concluded as at April 30, 2026, and with no new offer, the strike action shall commence by 12am on May 1, 2026,” the letter noted.

The unions emphasized that the action would be total and comprehensive, affecting all their members nationwide.

“All members will commence a total and comprehensive strike action by Friday, May 1, 2026,” they declared.

The development is expected to cripple non-academic services in federal universities, raising fresh concerns about disruptions in Nigeria’s education sector.