ASUU to begin nationwide strike Monday

Unless a last-minute breakthrough is reached, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will commence a two-week nationwide warning strike on Monday following the expiration of its ultimatum to the Federal Government.

The union’s two-week notice to the government, demanding the fulfillment of longstanding agreements, lapses on Sunday night. However, as of press time, the Federal Government had yet to issue any official statement on the impending industrial action.

ASUU had earlier instructed its various branches nationwide to brace for the strike, signalling growing frustration among university lecturers over unmet commitments.

The latest standoff comes despite ongoing talks between the Federal Government and the union aimed at averting another disruption in the academic calendar.

During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that discussions with ASUU and other university unions had reached their final phase. The negotiations, he said, focus on issues relating to welfare, funding, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

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Alausa revealed that the Tinubu administration had made “significant progress” with the release of ₦50 billion for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, while another ₦150 billion had been included in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be released in three tranches.

“They (lecturers) deserve to be paid well, and our academic and non-academic staff deserve improved welfare,” he said. “But we can’t give everything at once. What matters is our sincerity and commitment to substantial improvements in their conditions.”

According to him, promotion arrears and other pending allowances, including teaching and wage awards, have been settled, while remaining obligations would be cleared by 2026.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to lasting peace in the education sector, Alausa appealed to the unions to remain patient and pursue dialogue rather than strike action.

“We have resolved many of these issues, and we are at the final stage — the condition of service,” he said.“This government is sincere and has demonstrated that over the last two years. Please bear with us.”

He also disclosed that, for the first time, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and officials from the Ministry of Justice were part of the negotiation process to ensure that the new agreements are legally sound and enforceable.

However, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, faulted the Ministry of Education for what he described as its “habitual delay” in responding to critical issues affecting lecturers.

He said, “Their ultimatum expires on Sunday, and after that, there will be a warning strike unless something substantial comes out from the government. So, in the next 48 hours, we expect to receive something substantial from the government.Then, we can go back to our members and ask, ‘Do you think this is sufficient for us to hold on?’ and we will do what our members ask us to do.”

Meanwhile, sources in several federal universities — including the University of Jos, Ahmadu Bello University, and the University of Abuja — confirmed that preparations for the strike are already underway.

At the University of Jos, ASUU leaders reportedly held meetings with other campus unions to build solidarity ahead of Monday’s action.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, declined to comment on the matter.

(PUNCH)