The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union has demanded the immediate withdrawal of a purported federal approval granting a 30 per cent salary increase for non-teaching staff, warning of a nationwide disruption if the directive is enforced.
In a strongly worded letter signed by Prince Peters A. Adeyemi, Secretary General of JAC, and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, President of the unions, the workers described the development as “shocking” and unacceptable.
The letter, addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, was a reaction to a document circulating on social media allegedly approving the salary adjustment.
“We write with utmost respect to draw your urgent attention to the letter being circulated… The JAC of NASU and SSANU expresses shock at this unhealthy development and unequivocally rejects the arbitrary award,” the unions stated.
They insisted that no agreement had been reached through ongoing negotiations and warned that any unilateral implementation would violate established collective bargaining processes.
According to the unions, discussions with the Federal Government are still ongoing under a negotiation committee chaired by Dr Yayale Ahmed, with no final resolution yet concluded.
“We are not part of it, and the two unions are not ready to take anything less than what may be agreed upon collectively,” the statement added.
The JAC also called for the immediate withdrawal of the disputed document to avoid confusion across the university system.
“We hereby call on the Honourable Minister to withdraw the letter in circulation,” it stated.
Reaffirming their earlier stance, the unions referenced a March 27 ultimatum demanding the conclusion of negotiations on the long-standing 2009 agreement by April 30, 2026.
They warned that failure to meet the deadline could trigger industrial action.
“Any delay beyond this may disrupt industrial peace in our universities and inter-university centres from 1st May, 2026,” the letter cautioned.
The dispute adds to longstanding tensions between non-teaching university unions and the Federal Government over welfare, salary structures, and implementation of agreements dating back to 2009.
While academic unions often dominate public discourse, SSANU and NASU have repeatedly accused the government of marginalisation in salary reviews and earned allowances.
Labour experts warn that disputes arising from perceived unilateral decisions often escalate into strikes, further destabilising Nigeria’s already fragile higher education system.
However, a previous government directive had announced approval of a 30 per cent increase in consolidated salary structures for non-teaching staff in federal tertiary institutions, aimed at improving welfare and productivity.
In a March 30, 2026 letter signed by the Minister of Education, the Federal Government described the move as part of efforts to enhance morale among administrative and technical staff in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
As the disagreement deepens, concerns are mounting over the possibility of another round of industrial action that could disrupt academic activities nationwide.
Elijah Adeyemi
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