Unions Issue 7-day Strike Notice To Federal Government

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have issued a seven-day strike notice to the federal government over what they described as long-standing neglect of critical labour issues affecting their members in universities and inter-university centres.

In a joint letter signed by NASU general-secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, president of SSANU and chairman of the JAC addressed to the minister of education, the unions recalled that they had written to the ministry on June 18, 2025, seeking urgent intervention in disputes relating to earned allowances, withheld salaries, salary increments and the stalled renegotiation of the 2009 federal government agreements.

According to the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU, their June letter prompted a meeting with the minister on July 4, 2025, where it was agreed that a tripartite committee would be set up to address the skewed sharing of N50 billion earned allowances.

However, the unions said the committee failed to deliver on its mandate.

“The issues raised in the letter centred on unjust disbursement of N50 billion earned allowances, non-payment of outstanding withheld salaries and 25/35 per cent salary increments, and renegotiation of the Year 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU agreements,” the unions stated.

They added that while the minister promised to fast-track payment of arrears on withheld salaries and salary increments, no tangible progress has been made.

“It is equally important to note that the renegotiation of the Year 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU Agreements is being delayed.

It is on record that the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed-led Renegotiation Committee, inaugurated on 15 October 2024, only had its inaugural meeting with the JAC of NASU and SSANU on 10 December 2024. Since then, the Federal Government team has gone into limbo with the Non-Teaching Staff Unions, whereas our counterparts in the Academic Staff Union have already concluded renegotiation and are on the verge of signing an agreement,” the letter read.

The unions expressed frustration that the federal government has not taken decisive steps to resolve the disputes despite repeated reminders, including a follow-up letter sent on August 18, 2025.

“Despite our repeated efforts to draw your attention to address concerns affecting our members in the universities and inter-university centres, there appears to be nothing positive forthcoming from your office,” the letter added.

The JAC warned that they had no option but to take action.

“In light of the persistent unresolved issues and the apparent lack of responsiveness from the Government to our legitimate concerns, we are compelled to serve a formal notice of seven days, commencing from Monday, 15th September 2025, to address our agitations.

The letter noted, “Failing this, members of NASU and SSANU would embark on a series of legitimate industrial actions, including strikes, to press home our demands.”