Unless the Federal Government intervenes, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will commence a two-week nationwide warning strike on Monday, October 13, 2025, to press home its long-standing demands.
Details of the planned industrial action were contained in a document titled “Strike Bulletin One” issued to all branches and signed by ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna.
The bulletin, obtained in Abuja on Monday, follows a 14-day ultimatum earlier given to the government to address unresolved issues, including the signing and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
Piwuna, in the memo, criticised the government for failing to take concrete steps toward resolving the lingering matters despite several notifications.
“The National Executive Council of our union, at its emergency meeting of 28 September, 2025, having evaluated the results of the referendum held across branches, resolved to give government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve the issues contained in the negotiated document transmitted to government since February, 2025,” he stated.
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“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.”
The ASUU president revealed that the union had already informed the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Education, and the Nigeria Labour Congress of its resolutions. However, he expressed disappointment that “there is no meaningful development deserving any consideration to be reported.”
Appreciating members’ perseverance, Piwuna wrote, “As we enter the second and final week of the ultimatum, I thank you on behalf of NEC for the patience and understanding which you have demonstrated since the commencement of this tortuous negotiation that has unjustifiably lasted over eight years.”
He reiterated that the union’s key objective remains to compel the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement and address other pending concerns.
“The days ahead call for mobilisation of every member of our union to ensure unity of purpose. No one should be left out of the struggle for our welfare, to stem the japa syndrome, and reposition the Nigerian university system for global competitiveness,” he said.
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Piwuna urged members to remain organised and avoid misinformation, noting, “We are strong when we organise, but weakened when we agonise! Our union has always acted in solidarity as a collective; this action will not be different.”
He also directed members to take instructions only from their branch chairpersons, adding, “Members are to take instructions only from their chairpersons. When in doubt, members should consult their chairpersons, zonal coordinators, and attend congress meetings regularly for updates on further developments.”
When contacted, the Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, said updates on the government’s response would be communicated “when available.”
ASUU’s decision followed its National Executive Council meeting held on September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja, where it reviewed several unresolved matters, including the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, university revitalisation funding, unpaid salary arrears, and the alleged victimisation of lecturers in some institutions.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government over similar grievances, including non-implementation of its renegotiated 2009 agreement and payment of outstanding allowances.
Both unions warned that failure to act within the stipulated period could lead to another round of industrial unrest across the nation’s universities.
