FG, SSANU, NASU Talks End in Deadlock as University Strike Persists

Talks between the Federal Government and the Joint Action Committee of non-teaching staff unions in Nigerian universities ended in deadlock on Monday in Abuja, with both parties failing to reach agreement on key demands.

The Joint Action Committee comprises the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU). The meeting, convened by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was adjourned to later in the day for further negotiations, but no resolution was reached.

The unions embarked on an indefinite strike on April 30, following the expiration of a one-month ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. Central to the dispute is the unions’ rejection of a proposed 30 per cent salary increase, with demands insisting on a 40 per cent adjustment through collective bargaining.

SSANU President, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, said the industrial action has been fully complied with nationwide, resulting in the shutdown of administrative offices, clinics, hostels, and finance departments across public universities. 

He maintained that the unions’ position remains unchanged, stressing that the strike will continue until meaningful progress is made.

Meanwhile, disruptions caused by the strike have affected academic activities in several institutions. The University of Maiduguri has postponed its electronic examinations, with the management stating that the exercise will be rescheduled until the strike is suspended.