Non-academic staff in Nigeria’s public universities have moved to suspend their ongoing nationwide strike, raising fresh hopes for the full resumption of 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 processes for suspending the industrial action effective next week.
The decision follows a series of negotiations between the unions and the Federal Government over unresolved demands, including the renegotiation of a previous agreement and welfare-related concerns.
In a circular obtained by journalists, the unions disclosed that the government had committed to concluding all outstanding renegotiations within two weeks of the strike suspension.
The circular, jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, stated that the breakthrough came after a crucial meeting with the Federal Government’s Expanded Renegotiation Committee led by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed.
According to the unions, further adjustments to the government’s 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 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 statement read.
The unions added that branch leaders have been instructed to convene congresses to brief members and ratify the decision.
“Branch leaders are hereby urged to note this appeal and convene congresses to report the above, for a suspension of the strike effective from next week while other engagements with relevant stakeholders continue,” the statement added.
JAC also revealed that ongoing discussions include a controversial 30 per cent salary increase under the CONTISS framework, which had earlier been proposed but later withdrawn by the government.
The unions commended members for their compliance and solidarity during the strike, describing the nationwide response as encouraging.
NASU and SSANU embarked on the strike earlier this month over delays by the Federal Government in concluding the renegotiation of last year’s agreement covering salaries, allowances, and working conditions.
The industrial action disrupted administrative operations in public universities, affecting student registration, documentation, hostel management, and other critical support services.
Although academic staff were not part of the strike, 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.
