A Nation on Edge
In a solemn press briefing on Sunday at the University of Abuja, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the union’s decision to embark on a two-week total and comprehensive warning strike across all public universities in Nigeria.
“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 September 2025,” Piwuna said.
He added: “Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, the 13th October, 2025.”
The latest standoff between university lecturers and the Federal Government comes despite ongoing negotiations aimed at averting another round of industrial action in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Frustrations Over Unmet Demands
ASUU’s move, according to its leadership, follows years of unfulfilled agreements and inadequate government commitment to revitalising the education sector.
“Nothing significant has happened to change the position of NEC since we last briefed the press,” Piwuna stressed, accusing the government of failing to address core issues despite repeated meetings and assurances.
Among ASUU’s lingering demands are:
- Full implementation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement
- Payment of withheld salaries and promotion arrears
- Proper funding and revitalisation of public universities
- Stoppage of victimisation of members in LASU, KSU, and FUTO
The union described the government’s recent proposals as “provocative and inconsistent” with earlier commitments, warning that the current action is only a precursor to a possible indefinite strike if the government fails to act.
Government’s Response and the Road Ahead
On Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the government was in the final phase of talks with ASUU and other university-based unions to resolve disputes over welfare, funding, and implementation of previous agreements.
Alausa disclosed that the Tinubu administration had released N50 billion for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, while another N150 billion had been captured in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be disbursed in three tranches.
Despite these assurances, ASUU insists that government actions remain largely symbolic, lacking the depth and urgency required to address the sector’s structural decay.
If the impasse persists, academic activities across Nigeria’s public universities could grind to a complete halt, leaving students and parents once again at the mercy of a familiar cycle of strikes and negotiations.