After days of disruption across public universities in Nigeria, signs of relief are beginning to emerge as non-academic staff unions move to suspend their nationwide industrial action, raising hopes for the gradual restoration of normal activities on campuses.
The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has directed branches across the country to begin processes for suspending the strike effective Monday, May 11, 2026.
The decision followed a series of engagements with the Federal Government over unresolved welfare concerns and the lingering renegotiation of the 2009 agreement covering salaries, allowances, and working conditions of non-academic university staff.
As for many students and university communities already grappling with instability in the education sector, the development offers a temporary pause in yet another labour dispute that disrupted critical support services in universities nationwide.
The strike, which commenced on May 1, affected essential administrative operations including student registration, documentation, hostel management, and other non-teaching services that keep university systems running.
In a circular jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, the unions disclosed that the Federal Government had pledged to conclude all outstanding negotiations within two weeks after the suspension of the strike.
The breakthrough reportedly came after a meeting with the Federal Government’s Expanded Renegotiation Committee chaired by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed.
According to the unions, the government explained that any review of its previous offer, including issues relating to the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure, would require the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The leadership of JAC considered the passionate appeal for the suspension of the ongoing strike action and also extracted a commitment from the FGN Expanded Renegotiation Committee that all renegotiations, including a reviewed offer of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), shall be concluded in two weeks from the date of the suspension of the strike,” the circular stated.
The unions have now directed branch executives to convene congresses to brief members and formally ratify the suspension process.
Beyond salaries and allowances, the industrial action once again spotlighted the recurring labour tensions within Nigeria’s tertiary education system, where disputes between unions and government authorities have frequently interrupted academic calendars and administrative stability.
Although the proposed suspension may restore calm for now, many stakeholders believe the long-term challenge remains the Federal Government’s ability to fulfil its commitments and prevent another cycle of strikes in the university system.
Credit: ThePunch
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