Non-academic staff in Nigeria’s public universities are set to suspend their nationwide strike, raising fresh hopes for the full resumption of 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 processes for suspending the strike from Monday, May 11, 2026.
The move follows a series of negotiations with the Federal Government over longstanding demands, including the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and broader welfare concerns.
In a circular to branch chairpersons obtained on Wednesday, the unions said they had secured a firm commitment from the government to conclude all outstanding renegotiations within two weeks of suspending the industrial action.
The circular, jointly signed by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi and SSANU National President Mohammed Ibrahim, said the breakthrough came after a crucial meeting with the government’s Expanded Renegotiation Committee, chaired by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed.
According to the unions, the government indicated that any further review of its earlier offer would require the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The leadership of JAC considered the passionate appeal for the suspension of the ongoing strike and extracted a commitment from the FGN Expanded Renegotiation Committee that all renegotiations, including a reviewed offer of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), will be concluded within two weeks from the date of suspension,” the statement read.
Branches have been directed to convene congresses to brief members and ratify the decision.
“Branch leaders are urged to convene congresses to communicate this development and secure members’ approval for the suspension of the strike effective Monday, May 11, 2026, while engagements with relevant stakeholders continue,” the unions added.
The unions also disclosed that discussions are ongoing over a contentious 30 per cent salary increase under the CONTISS framework, which had previously been proposed but later withdrawn by the government.
They commended members for their compliance and solidarity during the strike, describing the nationwide support as encouraging.
NASU and SSANU began the strike on May 1, 2026, over delays in concluding the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, which covers salaries, allowances, and working conditions of non-academic staff in universities and inter-university centres.
The industrial action disrupted administrative operations across public universities, affecting student registration, documentation, hostel management, and other essential support services.
Although academic staff were not directly involved, the absence of non-teaching personnel significantly slowed campus activities, forcing many institutions into partial shutdown and deepening concerns about instability in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
