Academic Paralysis Looms As University Workers Push Strike Another Two Weeks

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions (NASU) has extended its strike ultimatum to the Federal Government by an additional two weeks.

The unions had previously issued a seven-day notice over unresolved welfare issues, warning of a nationwide shutdown if their demands were not addressed. In a joint letter signed by SSANU President Muhammed Ibrahim, the JAC criticized what it described as the “unfair disbursement of earned allowances, non-payment of outstanding entitlements, among other grievances.”

Ibrahim noted that the unions initially raised their concerns in June, prompting a meeting with the Minister of Education on July 4, 2025. The decision to extend the ultimatum follows a recent consultative meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Abel Enitan, held on September 19.

The correspondence, sent to chapters nationwide on Tuesday, indicated that the meeting involved top government officials, including the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), directors from the Ministries of Education and Labour, and other key stakeholders.

“The meeting focused on our demands, but concrete resolutions have yet to be achieved, necessitating further discussions,” the unions stated. The extension is intended to give the government additional time to act on the issues raised.

The unions warned that if their demands are not met within the extended period, they would proceed with a series of lawful industrial actions.