The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) at Taraba State University has joined the nationwide strike declared by the unions.
SSANU Chairperson, Bitrus Joseph Ajibauka, and JAC Secretary, Nkyareuten Musa Ipeyen, disclosed this in a statement, saying the decision followed the national directive for a total and comprehensive strike action which commenced on May 1, 2026.
The national leadership of SSANU and NASU had directed members across Nigerian universities and inter-university centres to embark on strike over the Federal Government’s failure to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement involving non-teaching staff unions.
The directive was jointly issued by SSANU National President, Mohammed H. Ibrahim, and NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi.
According to the unions, discussions during a recent meeting with the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, focused on the slow pace of renegotiating the 2009 agreements and the unions’ demand for the process to be concluded before the end of April 2026.
Other officials at the meeting included Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abel O. Enitan, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Abdullahi Y. Ribadu, and Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Angela Ajala.
The unions said the government withdrew the controversial 30 percent CONTTA award letter and appealed for the strike notice to be suspended, but failed to provide a fresh offer or clear timeline for concluding the renegotiation process.
JAC leadership stated that members insisted on full approval of their demands as contained in previous correspondence with the government, adding that the unions resolved to continue with the strike action.
Meanwhile, the TSU branch of the unions, during an emergency meeting held on June 4, unanimously resolved to withdraw all services in compliance with the national directive.
The unions maintained that the strike would continue until the Federal Government concludes the renegotiation process and addresses their outstanding demands.
COV/JAMILA ABBA
