NASU STRIKE – The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated institutions is set to hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday, May 24, 2026, .
According to Punch, it gathered that the union may decide to call off its ongoing strike, depending on the outcome of the meeting.
The PUNCH had reported that following the declaration of strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, other unions, such as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and NASU, had declared strikes.
The unions had insisted on the payment of minimum wage arrears owed since 2017, among other demands,
The PUNCH had also reported how the Federal Government, through the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, engaged with ASUU, NASU, SSANU and other tertiary institution-based unions in a tripartite meeting.
However, a circular shared with our correspondent on Thursday by concerned parties within the NASU NEC noted that the union would hold an emergency meeting.
“I have been directed to invite all branch chairmen to an emergency meeting for a briefing, deliberation and to take appropriate decisions on the outcome of the two meetings held with the honourable Minister of Labour and Employment on Thursday 5th May, 2026 and the tripartite meeting chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President on Thursday, 12th May, 2026.
The meeting will be held as follows: Tuesday, 24th May, 2026 at 11am.
An official of the union noted that the union might call off its strike depending on the outcome of the meeting.
It depends on the outcome. If all the unions vote in favour of calling off the strike, then it will be called off,” the official, who spoke anonymously, said.
Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities on Friday noted that the payment of minimum wage arrears was not part of its demands from the Federal Government.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the government had begun the payment of the minimum wage arrears it owed lecturers in the universities and polytechnics since 2017.
Speaking to our correspondent, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Dr Anderson Ezeibe noted that while government had met one of the demands of the union, it had not met all demands.
“We haven’t reached anywhere, but I can confirm that payments have started,” he had said.
Saturday PUNCH reports that academic activities in public universities and polytechnics have been grounded due to the ongoing industrial action by ASUU and ASUP.
Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, a member of the National Executive Council of ASUU, Dr Gbolahan Bolarin, said, “The issue of the minimum wage is not part of our demands, it is part of the demands of the non-academic staff.”
When asked if the union would call off the strike, he said, “The (payment of) salary arrears was never part of our demands.”
FAQs
1. Why is NASU holding an emergency meeting on Tuesday?
NASU (Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions) is holding an emergency meeting to review the progress made in negotiations with the Federal Government. The meeting is expected to assess government commitments on salary arrears, earned allowances, and welfare issues, which will determine whether the ongoing strike should continue or be suspended.
2. Is NASU likely to call off the strike after the meeting?
There is a strong possibility that the strike may be called off if the union leadership is satisfied with the outcomes of discussions held with relevant government agencies. However, the final decision will depend on resolutions reached during the emergency meeting and the approval of NASU’s National Executive Council.
3. What issues led to the NASU strike?
The NASU strike was triggered by unresolved issues such as non-payment of outstanding allowances, salary shortfalls, poor implementation of previous agreements, and concerns over staff welfare in public universities and other tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
4. What will happen if the strike is called off?
If NASU decides to suspend the strike, non-academic staff will resume work immediately, leading to the reopening of administrative offices and the gradual return of normal academic activities in affected universities. Students and university management are expected to receive official directives following the meeting.