Academic activities were paralysed in public universities nationwide on Monday as members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) fully complied with the union’s ongoing two-week warning strike.
The industrial action, which began on Monday, followed the expiration of an earlier ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over unresolved issues relating to welfare, funding, and the 2009 ASUU–FGN Agreement.
The latest standoff came despite assurances by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, that the government was in the final stages of negotiations with the unions. Alausa said the Tinubu administration had released ₦50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances and earmarked ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for university revitalization.
However, ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna disclosed that the document presented by the government during the last meeting was “totally alien to issues discussed,” particularly regarding conditions of service.
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Conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Draft Agreement (2021).
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Release of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries from the 2022 strike.
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Payment of outstanding salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the IPPIS payroll system.
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Settlement of third-party deductions, such as pension and cooperative contributions.
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Funding for university revitalization and payment of arrears of the 25–35% salary award for 12 months.
The union warned that any violation of the strike directive by members would attract santions.
Semester examinations were disrupted at several institutions, including Nasarawa State University, Keffi; University of Benin; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Jos; and Federal University, Dutse.
Meanwhile, Bayero University, Kano, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, concluded their examinations just before the strike commenced.
At Nasarawa State University, ASUU officials were seen moving from hall to hall, ordering students to vacate examination centers.
A 200-level student of Moses Adasu University, Joseph Adoyi, lamented that the strike had disrupted his academic plans. “I thought I’d be in 300 level soon, but in Nigerian universities, students propose and ASUU disposes,” he said.
Similarly, Mary Ajegba, a final-year student of Federal University Dutse, said repeated strikes had delayed her graduation. “If not for ASUU strikes, I’d be a corps member by now. They say it’s two weeks, but from experience, it may last longer,” she said.
ASUU President, Prof. Piwuna, confirmed on Monday that the union was willing to resume dialogue with the Federal Government.
“I received calls from the FG’s negotiation team led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed and the Minister of State for Labour. ASUU is ready and available to resolve this matter once and for all,” he said on Channels TV.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has directed university vice-chancellors to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking lecturers. A circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by Dr. Alausa, instructed all federal universities to suspend remuneration for lecturers participating in the strike.
