Abuja, October 6, 2025 — The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued what many insiders describe as its “last warning” to the Federal Government, as the union begins full mobilisation for a possible nationwide strike following the expiration of its 14-day ultimatum.
Government’s Silence Deepens Crisis
In a circular titled “Strike Bulletin No. 1” and signed by ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, the union expressed disappointment over the government’s “persistent silence” on critical issues affecting public universities.
The statement, dated October 5, 2025, directed all branch chairpersons to sensitise members ahead of industrial action if the government fails to address its core demands.
ASUU’s grievances include the non-implementation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, poor funding of public universities, non-payment of earned academic allowances, and the withholding of lecturers’ salaries.
Prof. Piwuna noted that the union had repeatedly engaged the Ministries of Labour and Education since February 2025 but received no meaningful response, describing the situation as “a clear case of neglect.”
Threat of Disruption to Academic Calendar
The union warned that if the government fails to act before the ultimatum lapses, it would embark on a two-week warning strike, which may escalate into an indefinite nationwide shutdown.
Education stakeholders fear that another ASUU strike could derail the academic calendar and further frustrate students who only recently recovered from earlier disruptions.
Several university communities have already begun emergency meetings as tension mounts on campuses nationwide.
Call for Urgent Government Intervention
ASUU confirmed it has written to the Ministers of Labour and Education as well as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), seeking urgent intervention to avert the looming crisis.
“Our call is not for personal gain but to safeguard the future of Nigeria’s university system,” Prof. Piwuna stated. “We have exhausted every option of dialogue; this is our last warning before action.”
As of press time, there has been no official response from the Presidency or the Federal Ministry of Education. Analysts say the next few days will determine whether the government reopens dialogue. Or whether the nation’s universities descend once again into silence.