ASUU Begins Two-Week Warning Strike as Talks with Federal Government Collapse

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced a two-week warning strike effective Monday, October 13, 2025, following the expiration of its ultimatum to the Federal Government on Sunday.

The union’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the action during a press briefing at the University of Abuja, stating that all ASUU branches have been directed to withdraw their services until further notice.

Piwuna explained that the decision followed the government’s failure to meet key demands despite earlier promises to address them within a 14-day window. “There is nothing on the ground to stop the implementation of ASUU-NEC’s resolution. Consequently, all branches are to embark on a total and comprehensive warning strike” he said.

The Federal Government had on Friday invited the union to a final meeting in a last-minute attempt to avert the strike. However, negotiations ended in a stalemate after ASUU rejected the government’s new proposal, describing it as inconsistent with the revised draft of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement.

ASUU’s demands include the full implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement, release of withheld salaries and third-party deductions, payment of promotion and salary arrears, and sustained funding for public universities. The union also cited concerns over the victimisation of its members in institutions such as Lagos State University, Kogi State University (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

In response, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, appealed to the union to reconsider its decision, warning that the government may enforce the “no work, no pay” policy if academic activities are disrupted. A statement from ministry spokesperson Folasade Boriowo noted that the government had made a comprehensive offer covering welfare, institutional governance and funding concerns.

“The government remains open to dialogue and will continue to prioritise the welfare of university staff and stability of the academic calendar under the Renewed Hope Agenda” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) expressed concern over the development, urging both parties to resume dialogue in the interest of students. NANS Assistant General Secretary, Adejuwon Emmanuel, told newsmen that the association had initiated mediation efforts to prevent a prolonged disruption of the academic calendar.

“We appeal to both sides to embrace sincere negotiation. Nigerian students have endured too many interruptions, and another strike will only deepen their hardship” Emmanuel said.

In a related development, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the Federal Government six weeks to meet its demands, acknowledging recent progress in discussions with the education ministry.

The new industrial action by ASUU marks another setback in Nigeria’s education sector, reigniting concerns over poor funding, inadequate infrastructure, and the recurrent breakdown of agreements between the government and academic unions.