Nigeria’s public university system has been plunged into disruption following the indefinite strike by the Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, halting both academic and administrative activities across campuses.
The industrial action has effectively shut down critical services, including university clinics, administrative offices, hostels, faculty departments and finance units, leaving institutions unable to function and students stranded.
At the University of Maiduguri, authorities have already postponed ongoing examinations as a direct consequence of the strike. In a memo from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, the university stated that the exams would be rescheduled once the industrial action is suspended, urging compliance from both staff and students.
SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, described the strike as total and effective, noting that compliance across universities has been widespread. He said all categories of non-teaching staff, including those providing essential services, had withdrawn their services.
“It’s a total shutdown for now. All clinics, administrative blocks, hostels, departments and finance offices have been affected,” he said.
The unions are demanding what they describe as fair and equitable treatment, with a key demand being a 40 per cent adjustment in their conditions of service. Ibrahim stressed that their position remains unchanged despite ongoing tensions.
While the Federal Government has summoned union leaders for a meeting in Abuja in a bid to resolve the crisis, the unions insist the strike will continue until concrete agreements are reached.
“We will attend the meeting, but the strike is on,” Ibrahim said.
The development has once again exposed persistent labour disputes within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, with students bearing the brunt through disrupted academic calendars, delayed examinations and limited access to essential campus services.