Deborah Akinyosoye
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a two-week total and comprehensive warning strike across all public universities in Nigeria, citing the Federal Government’s failure to fulfil long-standing agreements with the union, and saying the period was a window for the government to conclude negotiations with it.
The decision was announced on Sunday by ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, during a press briefing held at the University of Abuja.
Piwuna said the strike followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government on September 28, 2025, to address unresolved issues concerning university funding, welfare, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
“Compatriots of the press, it goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on ground to stop the implementation of ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the notice,” Piwuna declared.
“Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025. The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive,” he added.
The union’s action comes despite ongoing negotiations between ASUU and the Federal Government aimed at averting another round of industrial action in the tertiary education sector.
Last Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed that talks with ASUU and other unions had reached an advanced stage.
He noted that the government had released ₦50 billion for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances and earmarked another ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment projects, to be disbursed in three tranches.
However, ASUU insists that the government’s promises remain largely unfulfilled, accusing it of paying lip service to university revitalisation and staff welfare.
The strike, which begins Monday, is expected to shut down academic activities in federal and state-owned universities nationwide.
Many students and parents have expressed frustration over the recurring disputes between ASUU and the government, calling for a lasting solution to the crisis that has continually disrupted the nation’s higher education system.