ASUU Issues 14-Day Ultimatum to Federal Government: Strike Looms Again
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again raised the alarm over Nigeria’s struggling higher education system, issuing a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address long-standing demands or face the possibility of another nationwide strike.
The warning came after ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja.
ASUU’s Message to Government
In a statement signed by its National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, ASUU accused the government of neglecting education and abandoning agreements made years ago.
According to the union, lecturers have grown frustrated with delays and unfulfilled promises. If the government fails to act within the two-week window, ASUU may first embark on a two-week warning strike, which could then escalate into a full, indefinite shutdown of public universities.
Prof. Piwuna noted:
“We are tired of recycled promises. The government must take decisive action to save our universities before it is too late.”
Unresolved Demands
The grievances ASUU presented are not new, but they remain unresolved. The union listed key demands, including:
- Renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government.
- Fresh revitalisation funds to support public universities.
- Payment of outstanding salary arrears owed to lecturers.
- A reliable and sustainable funding structure for Nigeria’s education sector.
ASUU insists these issues have been repeatedly acknowledged in government statements but remain largely unimplemented.
Government’s Response So Far
To ease rising tensions, the Federal Ministry of Education recently set up a committee chaired by Permanent Secretary Abel Enitan to review ASUU’s proposals and recommend solutions. However, weeks later, no concrete decision or update has been made public, leaving uncertainty hanging over students, parents, and lecturers alike.
What This Means for Students
For students and their families, the news brings back painful memories of past strikes that crippled academic calendars, delayed graduations, and disrupted careers.
The next two weeks are now critical. If the Federal Government and ASUU fail to reach common ground, Nigeria’s university system may once again be thrown into turmoil.
For now, it’s a waiting game – with the clock ticking louder each day.
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