Activities have been grounded at the University of Ilorin following the commencement of an indefinite strike by members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.

The unions staged a peaceful protest at the main gate of the university, displaying placards with inscriptions such as demands for fair treatment, payment of withheld salaries, and a 45% salary increment instead of the proposed 30%.

According to the SSANU chairman at UNILORIN, Prof. Falowo Olushola, the strike was triggered by the Federal Government’s failure to conclude and implement the 2009 agreement with non-teaching staff unions.

He noted that the unions had issued several ultimatums since 2025, but no concrete action was taken, prompting the indefinite strike.

Similarly, NASU chairman Suberu Ibrahim said the agitation has lingered for years, with renegotiations ongoing since 2017 without resolution, while non-teaching staff continue to face marginalisation.

The unions are demanding full implementation of the 2009 agreement, a 45% salary increase, payment of outstanding arrears from 2022, and equal treatment with academic staff.

The strike, which began on May 1, 2026, is part of a nationwide industrial action affecting federal and state universities, as well as inter-university centres.

Despite ongoing talks, union leaders insist the strike will continue until their demands are fully met, stressing that only concrete agreements, not promises, will lead to its suspension.