BREAKING: NASU, SSANU Declare Nationwide Strike Over Failed Allowance Negotiations, Set to Shut Down Federal Universities

Operations across federal universities and inter-university centres are set to be disrupted as the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU announced a nationwide strike beginning midnight on May 1, 2026.

In a letter dated April 30, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the unions said the action followed the Federal Government’s failure to conclude renegotiations and present a fresh offer on allowances. The letter was signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim.

The unions stated: “We write to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence and to equally appreciate the Honourable Minister of Education for withdrawing the contentious letter,” referring to the earlier circular on a 30 per cent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance.

However, they stressed that the withdrawal did not resolve the dispute, adding: “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.”

They further noted that no alternative proposal had been made: “While the letter on the withdrawal of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance is acknowledged, no new offer has been made to supersede the 30 per cent allowances contained in the withdrawn letter.”

According to the JAC, members had given the government a deadline: “In view of this, with the agreement not concluded as at 30th April 2026, and with no new offer, the strike action shall commence by 12am on May 1, 2026.”

They added: “We hereby inform the Federal Government… that as a result of the failure of Government to avert the strike by positively acceding to our demands, all members… will commence total and comprehensive strike action by Friday, May 1, 2026.”

The unions warned that the action will paralyse non-academic services in federal universities, heightening concerns over fresh disruptions in the education sector.