National News – Tension is rising across Nigeria’s public universities as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University of Technology, Akure chapter, insists it will proceed with a nationwide strike on April 30 if the Federal Government fails to conclude long-running negotiations over staff welfare.
The union, led locally by Chairman Felix Adumbi, made its position clear during a meeting on Wednesday at FUTA in Ondo State.
According to him, discussions between SSANU and government representatives began as far back as 2022, with expectations that a comprehensive agreement on salaries and benefits would be reached.
However, frustration grew after the government recently announced a 30 percent salary increase for non-academic staff—an offer the union has firmly rejected, arguing it was imposed without final agreement.
SSANU, alongside the Non-Academic Staff Union, is demanding the withdrawal of the circular approving the increment, describing it as premature and disconnected from the negotiation process.
The association maintains that only a mutually agreed deal—not unilateral decisions—can resolve the dispute.
Across campuses, reactions have been mixed. Some university workers in Lagos and Ibadan say the strike threat is justified, citing rising living costs and stagnant wages.
Others, particularly students, worry about yet another disruption to the academic calendar, which has already faced repeated interruptions in recent years.
Analysts warn that if the April 30 deadline passes without resolution, Nigeria’s higher education system could face a fresh shutdown, compounding existing challenges in the sector.
The situation also places pressure on the Federal Government to demonstrate responsiveness and transparency in labour negotiations, especially at a time of economic strain.
Ultimately, the coming days will determine whether dialogue prevails or industrial action takes center stage.
For now, SSANU’s message remains firm: without a signed and satisfactory agreement, the strike will go ahead.
