Tag: Asuu

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially suspended its ongoing two-week warning strike.

The National President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, made the announcement during a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to Piwuna, the decision followed a marathon National Executive Council (NEC) meeting that lasted through the night and ended at about 4:00 a.m.

He explained that the strike was initially declared in response to the federal government’s delay in meeting the union’s long-standing demands, but noted that progress had been made following renewed engagements.

“We’ve had useful engagements with government representatives on the draft renegotiation of the 2009 agreements. Although we are not fully satisfied, we are no longer where we were before the strike began,” Piwuna said.

He added that ASUU’s leadership acknowledged the government’s willingness to return to the negotiation table and that the decision to suspend the strike was influenced by appeals from students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

“Consequently, NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike to reciprocate the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians,” he stated.

ASUU had declared the strike on October 13, citing the government’s failure to address key issues, including:

• The renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement,

• Release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries,

• Sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities,

• End to the victimisation of lecturers at LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO,

• Payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears,

• Settlement of over four years’ promotion arrears, and

• Release of withheld third-party deductions, such as cooperative and union dues.

Piwuna emphasized that while the strike has been suspended, ASUU remains vigilant and committed to ensuring that the federal government fulfills its promises in full.

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.

• Conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Draft Agreement (2021).

• Release of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries from the 2022 strike.

• Payment of outstanding salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the IPPIS payroll system.

• Settlement of third-party deductions, such as pension and cooperative contributions.

• 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.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a two-week warning strike, accusing the Federal Government of insincerity in its ongoing negotiations with the union.

ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, made the announcement on Sunday during a press conference held at the union’s national secretariat, University of Abuja. He directed all members nationwide to withdraw their services effective midnight.

Piwuna explained that the two-week action would serve as a window for the government to conclude all pending negotiations and demonstrate genuine commitment to addressing the union’s longstanding demands.

“Compatriots of the press, it goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on the ground to stop the implementation of ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the 14-day notice given on 28th September 2025,” he said.

“Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, 13th October 2025,” he added.

The latest standoff between ASUU and the Federal Government comes despite ongoing talks aimed at preventing another disruption in academic activities across the nation’s universities.