ASUU Mobilises Members for Two-Week Nationwide Warning Strike from October 13

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its members across the country to prepare for a two-week warning strike starting Monday, October 13, 2025, following the Federal Government’s alleged failure to address long-standing issues affecting the university system.

The planned industrial action was revealed in a memo titled “Strike Bulletin One,” which was circulated to all ASUU branches nationwide.

According to the document signed by ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, the decision comes after the expiration of a two-week ultimatum earlier issued to the government to meet the union’s demands — including the signing and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

Government Yet to Respond After Eight Years of Negotiations

Professor Piwuna expressed frustration over what he described as the Federal Government’s continued silence and lack of commitment, despite several efforts by the union to reach an amicable resolution.

“The National Executive Council (NEC) of our union, at its emergency meeting held on September 28, 2025, after evaluating results from the referendum across branches, resolved to issue a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government. Unfortunately, there has been no meaningful development to report,” the memo stated.

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The ASUU president thanked members for their patience, describing the negotiation process as “tortuous and unnecessarily prolonged for over eight years.”

“Our main objective remains to compel the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement and address other pending issues. The days ahead demand unity of purpose. We must stand together to protect our welfare, end the brain drain (Japa syndrome), and reposition the Nigerian university system for global competitiveness,” he added.

ASUU’s Major Demands

The union’s long-standing grievances include:

• Immediate signing and implementation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Renegotiated Agreement
• Sustainable funding for university revitalisation projects
• Payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears
• Settlement of promotion arrears pending for over four years
• Resolution of third-party deductions owed to lecturers
• Stopping victimisation of ASUU members in some federal universities

ASUU also insists that the government must show clear commitment to improving the welfare of academic staff and restoring the autonomy of public universities across the country.

“Mobilise, Don’t Agonise,” ASUU Tells Members

The national president urged all chapters to begin mobilisation for the impending strike, stressing that members should take instructions only from their branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators.

“We are strong when we organise, but weakened when we agonise. Our union has always acted in solidarity as one body — this action will not be different,” Piwuna said.

He directed all members to attend congress meetings regularly for updates, while discouraging unauthorised communication or misinformation.

Ministry of Education Promises Update Soon

When contacted, a senior official from the Federal Ministry of Education noted that the government would issue an update on its position “as soon as discussions are concluded.”

The ASUU decision followed the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja on September 28, where branch representatives reviewed feedback from members and voted in favour of the planned industrial action.

NAAT Issues Its Own Ultimatum

Meanwhile, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over similar unresolved issues.

In a communiqué released after its NEC meeting held on October 4, 2025, at the Federal University of Lafia, NAAT expressed dissatisfaction with the non-implementation of agreements previously signed with the government.

The union, led by its National President, Ibeji Nwokoma, lamented the failure to complete the 2009 FGN-NAAT Agreement renegotiation, non-payment of earned allowances, and delay in the release of circulars for CONTISS 14 and 15 salary structures.

NAAT further demanded the release of ₦50 billion to settle outstanding entitlements, the implementation of the new minimum wage adjustments, and the payment of withheld salaries and allowances.

The communiqué warned that failure by the government to act within the stipulated time frame would leave the union with no option but to embark on industrial action.

Education Sector Faces Another Disruption

With both ASUU and NAAT threatening simultaneous strikes, stakeholders in Nigeria’s higher education sector fear another nationwide academic shutdown that could disrupt academic calendars and worsen the existing backlog of uncompleted sessions.

Students, parents, and education analysts have continued to urge the government and the unions to reach a peaceful resolution to prevent further setbacks in Nigeria’s already fragile university system.