Tension Peaks As FG Holds Emergency Talks With SSANU, NASU Over Lingering Strike

The invitation was extended to the Joint Action Committee, which comprises the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities. The meeting is set to hold in Abuja with the Minister of Education, as part of moves to persuade the unions to suspend their industrial action.

A source familiar with the development told Punch that the government plans to table an improved offer during the talks, describing the meeting as a renewed push to resolve the dispute and restore normal operations in federal universities.

The strike, which began on May 1, 2026, followed a directive by both unions for their members to withdraw services nationwide. The action was triggered by what they described as delays in concluding negotiations over allowances and welfare issues.

Prior to the strike, the unions had written to the Minister of Education, expressing concern over prolonged discussions without a clear resolution.

They also pointed out that a previously announced 30 percent increase in a key allowance was later withdrawn, with no alternative proposal presented.

Union leaders said members had become increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of negotiations and had mandated them to act if no agreement was reached by the end of April. When the deadline passed without progress, the strike commenced as planned.

They insisted that withdrawing the allowance circular did not address their core demands, adding that the lack of a new offer left the issues unresolved and made the industrial action unavoidable.