The Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU declared an indefinite nationwide strike beginning midnight on May 1, affecting all universities and inter-university centres across Nigeria.
The strike directive came through a circular dated April 30. Both unions represent non-academic and senior staff in Nigeria's university system, giving them significant power to disrupt operations at institutions nationwide.
The two unions have a history of industrial action over staff welfare issues. Previous strikes have centred on salary arrears, poor working conditions, and disagreements with government over conditions of service. The timing of this latest action suggests negotiations with the federal government have broken down.
Universities will face immediate operational challenges. Non-academic workers handle critical functions from security to maintenance to administrative support. With both unions striking simultaneously, institutions will struggle to maintain basic services. Students already dealing with academic calendar disruptions will face further delays.
The strike affects workers across the entire university system. NASU represents workers like cleaners, drivers, and support staff. SSANU covers senior non-academic positions including librarians and administrators. Together, they represent thousands of workers in Nigeria's 43 federal universities, state universities, and other tertiary institutions.
No statement has yet emerged from the federal government or the Ministry of Education responding to the strike notice. Universities had until the stroke of midnight on May 1 to prepare for the shutdown.
