Strike: Varsities May Cancel Session, Merge Admission
Public universities in Nigeria have faced repeated disruptions to academic calendars due to prolonged industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). One frequent concern raised during such periods is whether academic sessions may be cancelled and admission cycles merged to cope with lost time and delays.
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Why Are Strikes Happening?
ASUU regularly engages in strikes to push for improved funding, implementation of agreements with the Federal Government, better welfare for academic staff, and revitalisation of Nigeria’s public universities. In late 2025, ASUU embarked on a two-week warning strike after the government failed to sufficiently address outstanding issues, and this action halted academic activities nationwide in federal and many state universities.
What Does “Cancel Session” or “Merge Admission” Mean?
“Cancellation of a session” refers to a situation where a university formally decides not to continue its academic programme for a specific academic year because the strike has made it impossible to complete required teaching, exams, and evaluations. “Merging admissions” means combining two admission exercises — for example, merging 2021 and 2022 cycles — so that the backlog of new students can be admitted under one unified process.
When Has This Happened Before?
Previous prolonged ASUU actions, including the long strike during the COVID-19 era, led some universities to resort to session cancellation or merged admissions:
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The University of Ibadan had to cancel an academic session due to a combination of COVID closures and extended strike.
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The University of Lagos merged two admission cycles as a result of the delays.
Colleges and universities often wait for strikes to end before taking such decisions, and they consult their Senate before making official announcements.
What JAMB Says About Session Cancellation and Admissions
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified that it does not direct universities to cancel sessions or merge admissions. The Board insists that:
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Each university’s Senate and management decide how to address academic disruptions.
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No admission processed through JAMB has been cancelled by JAMB itself due to strikes; decisions on sessions and admissions remain with the institutions.
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Candidates should contact their chosen university to understand the status of that school’s academic calendar.
How Strikes Affect Admission Seekers Today
When universities are on strike:
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UTME and Post-UTME screening timetables may be delayed or postponed.
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Universities may delay processing of admission letters, uploading of recommendations to JAMB CAPS, or even release of admission lists.
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Some universities may extend application deadlines or adjust academic calendars when activities resume.
This can create uncertainty and waiting periods for applicants, especially those targeting public universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a university really cancel an academic session because of a strike?
Yes, if the strike is prolonged enough that completing the academic calendar becomes impossible within the scheduled period, some universities may cancel that session and review the next steps. This has happened in the past during extended industrial actions.
Does JAMB cancel admissions when universities are on strike?
No. JAMB does not cancel admissions due to strikes. The Board has stated that it has not directed any cancellation of admission and that universities decide how to handle academic sessions and admission processes.
What does “merging admissions” involve?
Merging admissions means combining two admission cycles (e.g., for different academic years) into one to clear backlogs caused by disruptions. Universities implement this when necessary to align with academic calendars.
How does strike activity delay admission for UTME candidates?
Strikes can delay Post-UTME screenings, publication of admission lists, and processing of recommendations via JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), meaning admission offers may take longer than usual.
Can students still be admitted even if a session is disrupted by a strike?
Yes, as long as universities and JAMB coordinate, and the Senate approves how to complete or adjust the academic calendar. Admission itself isn’t automatically cancelled by strikes; it’s a matter of university policy.
Conclusion
While prolonged strikes in Nigerian public universities can cause major academic disruptions, including potential session adjustments or merged admissions, official decisions lie with each institution’s governing bodies, not JAMB. Candidates and students are advised to stay in close contact with their universities for the latest updates on academic calendars and admissions.
