FG, SSANU, NASU RESUME RENEGOTIATION TALKS AMID STRIKE SUSPENSION

The Federal Government on Tuesday resumed fresh renegotiation talks with the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions following the suspension of their nationwide strike.

The meeting, held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) headquarters in Abuja, is aimed at resolving lingering disputes over salary increments, welfare packages, and the long-delayed renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the unions and the Federal Government. 

The unions had embarked on an indefinite strike on May 1, 2026, accusing the government of delaying negotiations and failing to present a satisfactory salary review offer. However, the strike was suspended on May 11 after the government assured the unions that all pending issues would be addressed within two weeks. 

Speaking after the resumed talks, SSANU National President and JAC Chairman, Mohammed Ibrahim, stated that the unions are demanding a minimum 40 percent salary increase, rejecting the Federal Government’s earlier 30 percent proposal. He warned that the strike could resume if negotiations fail to produce concrete agreements within the agreed timeline. 

The industrial action had disrupted administrative activities in public universities across the country, affecting student registration, hostel management, documentation, and other support services. Stakeholders in the education sector are hopeful that the ongoing negotiations will restore stability and prevent another shutdown of tertiary institutions.