The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will today, Monday, begin a two-week warning strike after the 14-day ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government expired on Sunday.
The union’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the decision at a press conference held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.
This fresh standoff between ASUU and the government comes despite ongoing negotiations to prevent another disruption in the nation’s public universities.
Last Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said in Abuja that the government was in the final phase of talks with ASUU and other unions over welfare, funding, and the implementation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement.
According to him, the Tinubu administration had already released ₦50 billion for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances and made provisions for another ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for university revitalisation, to be disbursed in three tranches.
However, Prof. Piwuna said there was nothing tangible from the government to justify suspending the planned industrial action.
“Compatriots of the press, it goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on the ground to stop the implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the 14-day notice given on the 28th of September 2025,” he said.
“Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, the 13th of October, 2025. The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting.”
Sources confirmed that the Federal Government had met with ASUU last Friday in a last-minute attempt to prevent the strike, but the proposal presented was rejected by the union for failing to meet its demands.
ASUU’s demands include the completion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, improved funding for universities, and the end of alleged victimisation of lecturers in Lagos State University, Kogi State University (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Other demands include payment of outstanding salary arrears, promotion arrears of over four years, and the release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union dues.
Speaking on the rejected proposal, Piwuna said, “The presentation to ASUU was a total departure from the letter and spirit of the draft agreement submitted by the Yayale Ahmed Committee to the ministry.
“In line with our union’s principles, ASUU will soon submit its position—highlighting areas of distortion, inconsistency, and disregard for laws and practices—to the Federal Government.”
He added that the documents presented by the government were “hurriedly packaged, provocative, and incapable of dousing the industrial tension that has reached an irreversible pitch across our campuses.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government on Sunday night threatened to invoke the “no work, no pay” policy in response to the strike.
In a joint statement signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, the government urged ASUU to reconsider its decision and embrace dialogue.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, noted that the government had made a “comprehensive offer” addressing ASUU’s key concerns, including working conditions, governance, and welfare.
She accused the union of refusing to cooperate despite the government’s goodwill.
“The ministers stressed that dialogue remains the most effective path to resolving disagreements,” the statement read. “However, the ‘no work, no pay’ policy remains in force, and the government will act accordingly should academic activities be disrupted.”
The Federal Government also reassured students and parents that it remains committed to maintaining industrial harmony in the education sector.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to both ASUU and the Federal Government to act swiftly to end the impasse.
NANS Assistant General Secretary, Adejuwon Emmanuel, told The PUNCH that the students’ body is deeply concerned about the effect of the strike on students.
“The NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, has already begun consultations to mediate between ASUU and the government,” Emmanuel said. “Nigerian students have endured too many disruptions. Another strike will only worsen their hardship.”
While acknowledging ASUU’s grievances, NANS urged the union to consider other forms of engagement that won’t destabilise the academic calendar.
“We urge the Federal Government to show sincerity and urgency in addressing the issues at stake,” Emmanuel added. “The future of Nigerian students must not be sacrificed on the altar of bureaucracy and broken promises.”
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In a related development, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the Federal Government six weeks to meet its own demands.
According to a statement issued after its 115th National Executive Council meeting held on October 9, 2025, ASUP noted that progress had been made on issues such as the release of the circular on Peculiar Academic Allowance, the 2025 NEEDS Assessment intervention, and the reconstitution of the renegotiation committee to include the polytechnic sector.
The union said it would continue to monitor the government’s implementation of its commitments before taking further action.
