In a desperate move to avert the looming strike in universities and inter-university centers, the Federal Government has invited non-teaching staff unions for a meeting on Wednesday.

The meeting is scheduled for the Federal Ministry of Education Conference Hall at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

Recall that the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) gave the federal government an ultimatum to conclude the ongoing renegotiation exercise by April 30, 2026.

SSANU rejected the government’s 30 percent salary increase offer and threatened an indefinite, total strike if the renegotiation is not concluded by the deadline.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the non-teaching staff unions remain steadfast on the April 30 deadline.

A source within the unions confirmed to Vanguard that all three—SSANU, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT)—were invited by the Minister of Education.

Speaking on condition of anonymity because he lacked authorization from his union’s leadership, the source, who is privy to the invitation, said his union’s position remains sacrosanct. It will not be cajoled into accepting anything short of its demands.

“We have our demands, and we said the renegotiated agreement must be signed on or before April 30. We rejected their 30 percent offer. We expect them to do the needful by the 30th.

“Our members resolved this at the NEC meeting. We don’t know if they’ll make a new offer or just beg us not to strike. We won’t change our position—if they fail to make a reasonable offer, we proceed with the strike.”

All three unions rejected the government’s 30 percent salary increase, which they said was not the product of collective bargaining. (Vanguard)