University Non-Academic Staff Reject Government's 30 Percent Raise And Set Strike Deadline

Nigerian university non-teaching staff reject the government's 30% salary offer and set an April 30 deadline for a total nationwide strike.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 6:01 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Business Hallmark

SSANU Disputes Official Reports Of Concluded Negotiations

Tensions within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector have escalated following the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities' (SSANU) rejection of a newly proposed salary structure. While the Federal Government recently announced a 30 percent upward review of the consolidated salary structure for non-teaching staff, SSANU leadership insists that no final agreement has been reached. During a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the union's president, Muhammad Ibrahim, clarified that reports of a concluded deal are misleading and do not reflect the current state of collective bargaining.

The Government’s Proposed Consolidated Allowance

The Federal Government's offer, detailed in a March 30, 2026, letter from Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, intended to implement the increase as a "Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance." Authorities argued that this move was a strategic effort to stabilize the higher education system and narrow the welfare gap between administrative personnel and academic staff. Regulatory bodies, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), have already been directed to begin the rollout, but the unions maintain that the unilateral announcement undermines the negotiation process.

Ultimatum Set For Late April Industrial Action

Operating under a joint front with the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), SSANU has officially set a deadline of April 30, 2026, for the government to sign a binding agreement that aligns with their specific renegotiation terms. The unions have warned that if this deadline passes without a resolution, they will embark on an indefinite nationwide strike. Such an action would be "comprehensive and total," effectively paralyzing administrative operations, student services, and governance structures across all public federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.