The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has suspended its nationwide strike after the Federal Government pledged to conclude negotiations on outstanding demands within two weeks.
The suspension, which takes effect from Monday, 11 May, followed a series of meetings between union leaders and the Federal Government’s expanded tertiary institutions renegotiation committee, led by Yayale Ahmed.
The industrial action, which began on Friday, 1 May, had paralysed administrative and non-academic activities across public universities and inter-university centres nationwide over unresolved issues surrounding the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and the Consolidated Non-Teaching Staff Allowance (CONTTA).
DevReporting had earlier reported that the unions declared an indefinite nationwide strike after accusing the federal government of failing to address long-standing welfare concerns and implement agreements reached with university workers.
In a statement dated 5 May and addressed to branch chairmen of NASU and SSANU in universities and inter-university centres, the unions said the decision to suspend the strike followed appeals from government officials and assurances that negotiations would be concluded within a defined timeline.
The circular, jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, stated that the unions had extracted a commitment from the government to present a reviewed offer on CONTTA after obtaining presidential approval.
FG withdraws “unauthorised letter”, seeks industrial harmony
In a separate appeal letter to the unions, the federal government’s expanded tertiary institutions negotiation committee urged NASU and SSANU to suspend the industrial action pending conclusion of the negotiations.
The committee said it withdrew an earlier letter which “purportedly conveyed the presidential approval of a 30 per cent increase in the consolidated salary structure for non-academic staff of universities”, describing the communication as unauthorised.
According to the letter signed by the committee chairman, Mr Ahmed, the government was concerned about the impact of the strike on the university system.
“The renegotiation committee is deeply concerned about the adverse impact of the ongoing industrial action on the Nigerian university system and stresses the urgency to conclude the negotiation process,” the letter stated.
It added that the suspension of the strike would allow all parties to “collectively finalise the outstanding issues within two weeks from the date of the suspension of the industrial action.”
The committee also appealed to the unions to return to the negotiation table “in the best interest of industrial harmony and the expeditious resolution of all outstanding issues, including a new offer of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA).”
Unions suspend strike pending Tinubu’s approval
JAC said its leadership held another “crucial meeting” with the government renegotiation committee on Tuesday, 5 May, during which the government explained that further adjustments to its earlier offer required the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
According to the unions, the committee informed them of the need to obtain the approval of President Bola Tinubu on any further review of the government’s earlier offer.
The unions said they considered “the passionate appeal for the suspension of the ongoing strike action” before agreeing to halt the industrial action temporarily.
JAC further directed branch leaders nationwide to convene congresses and communicate the decision to members while engagement with relevant stakeholders continues.
“Branch leaders are hereby urged to note this appeal and convene congresses to report the above for a suspension of the strike effective from Monday, 11th May, while other engagements with relevant stakeholders continue,” the letter stated.
Strike halted pending new government offer
Despite suspending the industrial action, NASU and SSANU indicated that the strike was only paused to allow room for negotiations and a reviewed government offer.
The unions maintained that discussions on the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and other welfare-related issues remain unresolved.
JAC leadership, however, expressed appreciation to members for complying with the strike directive across campuses nationwide. We wish to express its profound appreciation to our members for the total compliance being experienced.”