Nigeria’s public university system may soon return to normalcy as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have resolved to suspend their ongoing industrial action effective Monday, May 11, 2026.
The directive was issued by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of both unions following renewed negotiations with the Federal Government of Nigeria over longstanding grievances, including the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and welfare concerns affecting non-academic staff.
According to a circular addressed to branch leaders and obtained on Wednesday, the unions said the decision to suspend the strike came after extracting firm assurances from the government to conclude all pending renegotiations within two weeks of halting the industrial action.
The breakthrough followed a high-level meeting with the government’s Expanded Renegotiation Committee led by former Head of the Civil Service, Yayale Ahmed.
Union leaders noted that any further adjustment to the government’s previous offer, particularly regarding the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), would require presidential approval from Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Branches nationwide have been directed to convene congresses to brief members and formally ratify the decision ahead of the planned suspension date, while negotiations with relevant stakeholders continue.
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The unions also revisited the contentious issue of a proposed 30 percent salary increase, which had earlier been introduced but later withdrawn, noting that discussions around it remain ongoing.
SSANU and NASU commenced the strike on May 1, 2026, citing delays by the government in finalising the 2009 agreement covering salaries, allowances, and working conditions.
The action led to widespread disruption across public universities, particularly in administrative functions such as student registration, documentation, and hostel management.
Although academic activities were not entirely halted, the absence of non-academic staff significantly slowed operations, deepening concerns over recurring instability in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
The planned suspension from Monday, May 11 is expected to ease tensions and restore critical support services across campuses, pending the outcome of the promised negotiations.