- The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have reaffirmed the suspension of their planned indefinite strike, which was set to begin on May 11.
- The unions have granted the Federal Government a 14-day window to finalize and sign renegotiated agreements, including a review of the salary structure and payment of outstanding arrears.
- SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim emphasized that the suspension is strictly temporary; failure to meet the agreed-upon timeline could trigger an immediate resumption of industrial action across all Nigerian universities.
Academic activities in Nigerian universities will continue for now, as non-academic unions have formally paused their plans for a nationwide shutdown.
Eko Hot Blog reports that speaking in Abuja on Sunday, SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim confirmed that the decision follows significant pressure and subsequent assurances from the Federal Government’s Expanded Tertiary Institutions Renegotiation Committee.
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The unions are demanding the full conclusion of the 2009 agreement renegotiation, better welfare conditions, and the rejection of what they termed “unilateral salary offers,” such as the previously reported 30% increase.
The Joint Action Committee of the two unions had initially directed its members to down tools on May 1st, citing government delays in implementing collective bargaining outcomes.
However, the unions opted for a “wait-and-see” approach after the government committee promised to wrap up all outstanding issues within a fortnight.
“We are giving a two-week window to conclude the renegotiation exercise and sign agreements as promised,” Ibrahim stated, adding that the unions will be monitoring the process closely to ensure all commitments are honored.
The potential strike threatened to paralyze administrative and technical services across the tertiary education sector, affecting everything from transcript processing to campus security and maintenance.
While students and university management have expressed relief at the suspension, the unions have made it clear that their patience is not infinite.
With the deadline now set for late May, the ball remains in the government’s court to prevent another round of disruptive industrial disputes.
