ASUU threatens indefinite strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that it may embark on an indefinite strike if long-standing demands are not met.

The decision followed a National Executive Council meeting of the union, held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

In a statement personally signed and made available to our correspondent, ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, accused the government of neglecting the university system and refusing to address critical issues.

“At the National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on the 28th of September, 2025, the union decried the neglect of the university system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.

“Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an ultimatum of 14 days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the 14-day ultimatum the Federal Government fails to act, the union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike,” the statement read.

The union said seven unresolved issues had lingered for more than three months, among them the re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, sustainable funding for the revitalisation of public universities, and the alleged victimisation of members in some federal universities.

Others include the payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears, delayed promotions some of which have been pending for over four years, and unresolved problems surrounding third-party deductions.

“ASUU as a union believes that the government has the muscle to avert this looming strike,” the statement concluded.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, had set up a committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Abel Enitan, to review ASUU’s proposals and recommend measures for stability across the university system. However, as of press time, the committee has not made its position public.

Efforts to get a reaction from the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, were unsuccessful as inquiries sent to her remained unanswered.