The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching staff unions in Nigerian universities has resumed negotiations with the Federal Government following the suspension of its indefinite strike action.
JAC, which comprises the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, confirmed that discussions with government representatives recommenced on Monday at the headquarters of the National Universities Commission in Abuja.
The unions had embarked on an indefinite strike on April 30 over delays in the renegotiation of agreements with the Federal Government, welfare concerns, payment of allowances, and opposition to unilateral salary offers.
The strike was, however, suspended on May 11 after interventions and assurances from the Federal Government Expanded Tertiary Institutions Renegotiation Committee.
Speaking in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), SSANU National President and JAC Chairman, Mohammed Ibrahim, said both parties had resumed formal discussions and were working towards concluding the renegotiation process within two weeks.
“We have resumed discussions today and expect to conclude the process, including signing of agreements, within two weeks,” Ibrahim said.
“We agreed that the two-week timeline begins from the day the strike was suspended,” he added.
Ibrahim disclosed that the unions had formally demanded a minimum 40 per cent salary increase, rejecting the Federal Government’s earlier proposal of a 30 per cent increment.
“We rejected the government’s 30 per cent offer, and it has been withdrawn. Our demand remains a minimum of 40 per cent,” he stated.
According to him, government representatives requested additional time to review the unions’ demands, financial benchmarks, and related figures before presenting a revised offer.
“They need to review the figures, yardsticks and other issues. We told them to do whatever they need to do, but not to come back with less than 40 per cent,” Ibrahim said.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing negotiations would be concluded successfully within the agreed timeframe.
However, the SSANU president warned that the unions could resume the suspended strike if no concrete agreement is reached after the two-week window.
“The mandate from our members is clear — if nothing is concluded after two weeks, the strike will resume,” he warned.
