ASUU begins mobilisation for nationwide strike over government inaction

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has begun mobilising members across public universities in preparation for a nationwide strike following the Federal Government’s failure to address its long-standing demands.

The union had last week issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to resolve all pending issues, including the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement. Frustrated by the government’s lack of response — particularly from the Ministers of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, and Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi — ASUU said it had no choice but to proceed with industrial action once the ultimatum expires.

According to the union, the strike notice, which took effect on Sunday, September 28, 2025, will first trigger a two-week warning strike before escalating into a total and indefinite shutdown of academic activities.

In a memo dated October 5, 2025, and obtained by *Tribune Online* on Monday, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, lamented the lack of meaningful progress toward resolving the lingering issues.

“The National Executive Council (NEC) of our Union, at its emergency meeting of 29th September, 2025, after assessing referendum results from our branches, resolved to give the government a 14-day ultimatum to implement the renegotiated agreement submitted since February 2025,” Piwuna stated.

He added that the union would embark on a two-week warning strike should the government fail to take “acceptable and satisfactory steps” to meet its demands.

Piwuna explained that although the resolutions had been duly communicated to the Ministers of Labour and Education as well as the Nigeria Labour Congress, there had been “no meaningful development” since then.

“As we enter the final week of the ultimatum, I thank members for their patience and understanding throughout this eight-year-long negotiation process. Our goal remains to compel the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement and address other unresolved issues,” he said.

He further urged ASUU members to remain united and organised: “We are strong when we organise, but weakened when we agonise! Members must follow instructions from their branch chairpersons and attend congress meetings regularly for updates.”

ASUU’s demands include the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, revitalisation of university infrastructure, payment of promotion arrears, and settlement of academic earned allowances, among others.

The union has also appealed to Nigerians — including traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, and students — to pressure the Federal Government to act swiftly to prevent another nationwide shutdown of universities.