The non-teaching staff unions of Nigerian government universities under the umbrella of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) have suspended their industrial action.

JAC comprises members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

National President of the three unions, Sam Ugwoke announced the suspension at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The decision followed the agreement reached with the unions by the Federal Government, after eight hours of negotiations since last night.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who led the Federal Government delegation at the meeting, gave assurances that the government has agreed to address all 12 issues raised by the striking workers.

The strike was suspended two weeks after the unions declared a “total and comprehensive” industrial action.

Some of the demands of the striking workers included the immediate payment of earned allowances and a review of the universities' governance system.

The decision is a welcome development for stakeholders in the education sector, as well as students of government-owned universities as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had also suspended its strike with conditions.

ASUU’s decision was announced by its president, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi on Monday in Abuja after a reconciliation meeting with a Federal Government team.

Ogunyemi had explained that the suspension was conditional, as it depends on whether the Federal Government would fufil its parts of the agreements. (Channels TV)