Non-academic staff in Nigeria’s public universities have taken steps to suspend their ongoing nationwide strike, raising fresh hopes for a return to normal academic activities across campuses.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has directed its branches to begin the process of calling off the strike from Monday, May 11, 2026.
The move comes after a series of negotiations with the Federal Government over long-standing issues, including the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and concerns around staff welfare.
In a circular sent to union branches, the leadership said it had secured a firm commitment from the government to conclude all outstanding negotiations within two weeks of suspending the strike.
The circular, signed by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi and SSANU National President Mohammed Ibrahim, noted that progress was made following a key meeting with the government’s Expanded Renegotiation Committee, led by former Head of Service Yayale Ahmed.
According to the unions, the government explained that any further adjustment to its earlier proposals would require the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
After considering appeals from stakeholders, the unions agreed to begin the suspension process while talks continue. Branch leaders have now been asked to hold meetings with members to communicate the development and formally ratify the decision.
Part of the ongoing discussions includes the review of a proposed 30 percent salary increase under the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), which had earlier sparked disagreement.
NASU and SSANU also commended their members for their unity and compliance throughout the strike, describing the nationwide support as encouraging.
The strike, which began on May 1, 2026, had disrupted key administrative activities in public universities, including student registration, documentation, and hostel management—services essential to the smooth running of academic institutions.
Its suspension is expected to ease tensions in the education sector, which has faced repeated disruptions in recent years due to unresolved disputes between unions and the government.
