The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to meet its long-standing demands or risk a total and indefinite strike action.
The decision followed the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.
In a statement signed by ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, the union accused the government of neglecting the university system and failing to address critical issues that have lingered for years.
“At the National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on September 28, 2025, the union decried the neglect of the university system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands. Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an ultimatum of 14 days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the 14-day ultimatum the Federal Government fails to act, the union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike,” the statement read.
The unresolved issues, according to ASUU, include:
The re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement
Sustainable funding for the revitalisation of public universities
Alleged victimisation of members in some federal universities
Payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears
Delayed promotions, some pending for over four years
Unresolved problems surrounding third-party deductions
Prof. Piwuna stressed that government has the capacity to avert the looming strike if it chooses to act swiftly.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, had earlier set up a committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Abel Enitan, to review ASUU’s proposals and recommend measures to stabilise the university system. However, as of the time of filing this report, the committee has yet to make its findings public.
Efforts to obtain a response from the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, were unsuccessful, as messages sent to her remained unanswered.
About The Author
