UNILORIN Shuts Down as SSANU and NASU Begin Indefinite Strike

Activities at the University of Ilorin were shut down as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions began an indefinite nationwide strike over unpaid salaries, unimplemented agreements, and demands for a higher wage increase.

Academic and administrative activities at the University of Ilorin have been halted following an indefinite strike action by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.

The strike, which commenced on May 1, 2026, led to a peaceful demonstration at the university’s main entrance, where union members carried placards demanding improved welfare conditions. Their key demands include payment of outstanding salaries, full implementation of the 2009 agreement with the Federal Government, and a 45% salary increase—rejecting the government’s proposed 30% increment.

According to SSANU chairman at the institution, Prof. Falowo Olushola, the industrial action became necessary due to the government’s failure to honor long-standing agreements with non-academic staff, despite several warnings issued since late 2025 and early 2026. He stressed that the unions would not accept any offer below their demand.

Similarly, NASU chairman, Suberu Ibrahim, described the protest as part of a prolonged struggle dating back years, noting that negotiations over the 2009 agreement have dragged on since 2017 without resolution. He also highlighted disparities in salary adjustments, pointing out that academic staff recently received about a 40% pay increase, while non-teaching staff were excluded.

Ibrahim further revealed that members are owed significant arrears, including over a year of unpaid salaries from 2022, insisting that these must be settled. The strike has disrupted essential services on campus, including transportation and administrative operations, underscoring the vital role of non-teaching staff in the university system.

A last-minute meeting between union leaders and government representatives on April 29 failed to produce an agreement, prompting the Joint Action Committee of both unions to proceed with the strike.

The industrial action extends beyond UNILORIN, affecting federal and state universities nationwide, as well as inter-university centres. Monitoring teams have been deployed to ensure compliance, while union leaders maintain that the strike will continue until their demands are fully addressed.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, GUARDIAN