Nigeria’s public universities are facing a widening disruption to essential services as the ongoing strike by non-academic staff continues, with negotiations between the Federal Government and unions ending in a stalemate on Monday.

The industrial action, led by the Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), began on April 30 after a one-month ultimatum expired. Talks held to resolve the dispute were adjourned without agreement, with both sides expected to reconvene for further discussions.

Across campuses nationwide, the impact is becoming more visible. Administrative offices, student hostels, and even university health centres have shut down, leaving students without access to critical services. At the University of Maiduguri, authorities confirmed that scheduled electronic examinations have been postponed due to the absence of support staff.

In Plateau State, workers at the University of Jos staged a peaceful protest on Monday, highlighting concerns over delayed welfare improvements and unresolved agreements. Union representatives say the strike has been widely observed, effectively halting non-teaching operations across institutions.

At the centre of the dispute is a disagreement over salary adjustments and the renegotiation of a long-standing agreement with the government. The unions have rejected a proposed 30 per cent increase, insisting on a 40 per cent adjustment and accusing authorities of bypassing due process in negotiations, according to union officials.

Government representatives, sources say, appealed to the unions to suspend the strike while talks continue, but labour leaders declined, citing the need to consult their members. With no immediate resolution in sight, students and university communities remain caught in the middle, as uncertainty over academic schedules and campus services persists.