A Photo File : ASUU

Barring any last-minute resolution, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will commence a two-week nationwide warning strike on Monday, October 13, 2025, to compel the Federal Government to meet its longstanding demands.

The decision was communicated through a memo titled “Strike Bulletin One” sent to all chapters of the union and obtained by our correspondent in Abuja.

The planned strike follows a 14-day ultimatum issued last week, urging the government to sign and implement the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, among other unresolved issues.

In the latest memo, ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, expressed disappointment over the government’s continued silence despite multiple communications and the expiration of the initial ultimatum.

“The National Executive Council of our union, at its emergency meeting on September 28, 2025, having evaluated the results of the referendum held across branches, resolved to give government a 14-day ultimatum,” the memo read.
“It was further resolved that the union will proceed on a two-week warning strike at the expiration of the ultimatum if government fails to take acceptable and satisfactory steps to address the lingering issues.”

According to Piwuna, the resolutions were immediately conveyed to the Ministers of Labour and Education, as well as the Nigeria Labour Congress, but no meaningful progress has been made.

“It is now one week since those resolutions were communicated. I regret to inform you that there is no meaningful development deserving any consideration to be reported,” he said.

The ASUU President thanked members for their patience throughout what he called “a tortuous negotiation” spanning over eight years. He urged all members to remain united and committed to the struggle.

“Our current action is aimed at compelling the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement, among other demands,” he said.
“The days ahead call for mobilisation of every member. No one should be left out of the struggle to improve our welfare, stem the ‘japa’ syndrome, and reposition the Nigerian university system for global competitiveness.”

Prof. Piwuna also directed members to strictly follow communication from their respective branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators.

“When in doubt, members should consult their chairpersons and attend congress meetings regularly for updates,” he added.

When contacted, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, said updates on the government’s position would be shared “when available.”

The union’s demands include:

• Signing and implementing the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement
• Sustainable funding for university revitalisation
• Addressing victimisation of lecturers in some federal universities
• Payment of 25–35% salary arrears
• Resolution of four-year promotion delays
• Settlement of outstanding third-party deductions

NAAT Issues 14-Day Ultimatum Over Unresolved Demands

In a separate development, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) on Monday issued its own 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over non-implementation of key agreements.

Following its National Executive Council meeting held on October 4, 2025, at the Federal University, Lafia, NAAT expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Education’s handling of its concerns.

The communiqué, signed by NAAT President, Ibeji Nwokoma, highlighted several grievances, including:

• Non-completion of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement renegotiation
• Non-mainstreaming of earned allowances
• Delay in releasing CONTISS 14 and 15 circulars
• Withheld salaries and third-party deductions
• Non-payment of responsibility and hazard allowance arrears

“While NAAT remains open to dialogue, failure to act within the stipulated period will leave the union with no option but to declare industrial action,” the union warned.

NAAT is demanding the immediate release of N50 billion to settle outstanding earned allowances, full implementation of the new minimum wage consequential adjustments, and settlement of several months of unpaid arrears.