University staff unions extend strike ultimatum as talks with government continue

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) representing 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 two weeks. This development follows an earlier seven-day notice over unresolved welfare concerns, leading to a potential nationwide industrial action.

The unions, through a joint letter signed by SSANU President Muhammed Ibrahim, criticized the unfair disbursement of earned allowances and the non-payment of outstanding entitlements to university staff. Ibrahim recalled that a letter dated June 18, 2025, brought these issues to the government’s attention, which led to a meeting with the Minister of Education on July 4, 2025.

The leadership, in a nationwide meeting on September 23, disclosed that the decision to prolong the ultimatum resulted from discussions with the Ministry of Education’s Permanent Secretary, Abel Enitan, on September 19. The government constituted a joint consultative committee involving key education and labor officials, including representatives from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Federal Ministry of Labour, to address the unions’ demands.

Although the committee reviewed the grievances, it has yet to reach satisfactory conclusions, necessitating continuous talks. The unions emphasized that the extension offers the government time to initiate necessary actions to meet their demands. However, should these issues remain unresolved by the end of the extended period, the JAC warned that it would initiate legitimate industrial actions without further notice.