Nigeria: Unijos Non-Academic Staff Join Nationwide Strike

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, University of Jos chapter, on Monday staged a peaceful protest over unresolved welfare issues and delays in the renegotiation of agreements with the Federal Government.

Our correspondent reports that the protesters, operating under the Joint Action Committee, JAC NASU and SSANU, marched from the university's main gate to the Senate Building, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards to press home their demands.

The protest coincided with the commencement of a nationwide strike action declared by the unions, directing members across universities and inter-university centres to embark on a total and comprehensive industrial action from 1 May 2026.

Speaking during the protest, SSANU Chairperson, University of Jos chapter, Anthony Jauro, decried what he described as disparity in staff welfare and delays in addressing the concerns of non-teaching staff.

"Our advice to the government is that creating division among staff welfare in the university system is not good. Why create disparity? Are you trying to create a crisis?" he said.

Jauro noted that while negotiations with some unions had been concluded earlier in the year with partial implementation, others were yet to receive attention.

"We understand the President does not want strikes to continue, which is why a committee was reconstituted.

"But one union concluded negotiations in January and has started benefiting, while others are left out. What are they expected to do?" he queried.

Also speaking, NASU Chairperson, University of Jos branch, Comrade Monday Danjuma, accused the Federal Ministry of Education of bias in its engagement with university unions.

"My call is that the Federal Government should do the needful. We want them to know that the Minister of Education is taking sides and creating division within the university system," Danjuma said.

He lamented that five months after an agreement was signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the demands of non-academic staff were yet to be addressed.

The unions insisted that the strike would continue until their demands are met and negotiations on the 2009 agreement for non-teaching staff are fully concluded.

Read the original article on Leadership.