ABUJA — 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 announced the suspension of its nationwide strike, effective Monday, May 11, 2026.
The decision was reached following a breakthrough meeting between the union leadership and the Federal Government’s Expanded Renegotiation Committee, led by the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed. In a circular released on Wednesday, the unions directed their various branches to convene congresses to brief members and ratify the suspension.
The strike, which began on May 1, 2026, was triggered by the government’s perceived foot-dragging in concluding the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. Key sticking points included welfare concerns and a controversial 30% salary increase offer under the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), which the government had previously withdrawn.
According to the JAC, the Federal Government has now extracted a firm commitment to conclude all outstanding renegotiations within two weeks of the strike’s suspension. However, the committee noted that any further upward review of the salary offer would require the final approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The leadership of JAC considered the passionate appeal for the suspension and extracted a commitment that all renegotiations shall be concluded within two weeks,” the circular stated. While the suspension offers a reprieve for the university system, the unions emphasized that “other engagements with relevant stakeholders” will continue to ensure the government honors its new timeline.
