Some tertiary institution workers across Nigeria may not resume duties as offices reopen on Monday, following a nationwide strike by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities.
The strike, beginning on Friday, May 1, was called over unpaid allowances, salary issues, and delays in implementing agreements between the unions and the federal government.
The two unions, under their Joint Action Committee, had earlier issued an ultimatum demanding that long-standing disputes be resolved by the end of April 2026 or face industrial action.
In a letter signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, the unions warned that failure to meet their demands would disrupt university activities nationwide.
“Any delay beyond this may disrupt industrial peace in our universities and inter-university centres from 1st May, 2026," they said.
SSANU stressed that there would be no reversal of the decision.
The union said it had given the government a clear deadline to conclude negotiations, warning that members would withdraw services if talks failed.
At the center of the dispute are unpaid earned allowances, delayed salaries, and disagreements over a proposed 30 percent salary increase for non-teaching staff.
The unions rejected the pay increase, describing it as imposed.
“We have not reached any conclusion warranting the award, which is alien to the tradition of collective bargaining,” their statement said.
They also insisted that negotiations must follow due process, adding, “We are not part of it, and the two unions are not ready to take anything less than what may be agreed upon collectively.”
The strike is expected to disrupt administrative and support services in universities across the country.
