ASUU declares two-week warning strike

By Adesina Wahab & Joseph Erunke

After a lull in the wave of incessant strikes in Nigeria’s university system, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Sunday declared a two-week warning strike in public universities, citing the federal government’s reluctance to meet their long-standing demands.

The warning strike, which commences at midnight on Sunday, was announced by the National President of the union, Professor Chris Piwuna, while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

However, another academic staff union in the university system, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), said its members would remain at work, as there was no reason for them to embark on strike.

The National President of CONUA, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, stated this in a chat with one of our correspondents on Sunday.

Declaring ASUU’s position, Piwuna said the action became necessary because the federal government failed to meet the union’s demands after a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued had lapsed.

He warned that after the two-week warning strike, if the government still failed to act, the union would proceed on a total and comprehensive strike.

Professor Piwuna explained that the action was aimed at drawing attention to the government’s persistent refusal to implement agreements and address critical issues affecting Nigerian universities.

“It is regrettable to note that nothing significant has happened since our last briefing on the eight issues in dispute,” he said.

The unresolved issues include the conclusion and signing of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement; payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries; sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities; and an end to the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and FUTO.

Others are the settlement of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears; payment of promotion arrears spanning over four years; and release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union dues.

Professor Piwuna noted that despite several appeals and assurances from government officials, including a letter dated September 30, 2025, from the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, nothing tangible had been achieved.

He disclosed that the outcome of an emergency meeting of the FGN/ASUU 2009 Agreement Renegotiation Committee held on October 10 was disappointing, describing the documents presented by the government as “provocative and inconsistent” with previous drafts.

“The hurriedly packaged documents were a total departure from the spirit of the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiated agreement and incapable of dousing industrial tension across campuses,” the ASUU president said.

ASUU accused the government of bad faith and deliberate delay tactics, lamenting that months of negotiation had yielded no results.

“It is a betrayal of historic responsibility if we continue to fall for the government’s deception and manipulation,” Piwuna declared. “What is needed is the fundamental transformation of our university system, not token promises,” he said.

The union appealed for understanding from students, parents, and the public, stressing that its struggle was aimed at saving Nigeria’s university system from collapse.

“We invite patriotic Nigerians, workers, media practitioners, and civil society activists to join ASUU in this transformational mission,” the statement added.

“ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) has directed all its branches nationwide to withdraw their services effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025,” he insisted.

Our members not on strike – CONUA

The National President of CONUA, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, told Vanguard that his union had no issue with the government to warrant declaring a trade dispute.

He added that going on strike could be counterproductive in the end.

“We held congresses across our branches nationwide recently, and it was the decision of the members that there is nothing to declare a trade dispute for. We also held a meeting with the government team, which included the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, on September 11, 2025.

“We just want the vice-chancellors of various universities and the federal government to respect our decision and take note that CONUA members nationwide are not on strike and we have not declared any,” he stated.

On why strike might not be the last resort for academic staff, Sunmonu noted: “The overwhelming view is that strikes have historically failed to yield meaningful or sustainable results, and instead have inflicted deep harm on the university system, students, parents, and the nation at large.”

He added: “The union shall not embark on industrial action over matters where it has not been fully engaged or consulted. Instead, it will continue to advocate for reasoned dialogue, proactive negotiation, and evidence-based solutions.

“In conclusion, CONUA reiterates that the nation’s universities require stability, focus, and a forward-looking culture of problem-solving, not recurring cycles of strikes. The union will stay true to its founding principles of academic responsibility, dignity, and constructive partnership with all stakeholders for the greater good of Nigerian education.”

NANS wants quick resolution

Speaking on the development, the National Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, explained the steps taken by the association to avert the current situation.

Details later…

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