ABUJA, Nigeria (FN), Talks between the Federal Government and striking non-academic university workers collapsed this week, leaving Nigeria’s public universities in near-total shutdown as the strike entered its sixth day. The Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU rejected the government’s unilateral 30 percent salary increase, insisting instead on a minimum 40 percent adjustment and accusing officials of breaching collective bargaining laws.
The Federal Government had appealed for suspension of the strike while negotiations continued, but union leaders refused, saying they must consult their members first. The strike, which began April 30 after a one-month ultimatum expired, has crippled operations nationwide. Clinics, hostels, administrative offices, finance departments, and even essential services have been withdrawn. At the University of Maiduguri, e-examinations were postponed, while workers at the University of Jos staged peaceful protests over welfare issues and delays in renegotiating the 2009 agreement.
SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim described the strike as a “total shutdown with full compliance nationwide,” while NASU leaders accused the government of bias and failure to respect collective bargaining processes. Students expressed frustration over halted exams and disrupted academic calendars, while civil society groups warned of a worsening education crisis and called for urgent resolution. On social media, hashtags such as #UniversityShutdown and #FairPayForWorkers trended, with heated debates over government accountability and union tactics.
The deadlock has intensified concerns about Nigeria’s education sector, already burdened by underfunding and repeated strikes. Analysts warn that unless both sides compromise, the shutdown could drag on, deepening the crisis and eroding public trust in government-union relations. The Federal Government has signaled willingness to resume talks, but with both sides entrenched, the standoff remains unresolved.
