Government Warns ASUU Against Disrupting Academic Activities
The federal government has issued a warning to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) against disrupting academic activities through a planned nationwide strike. The government emphasized that it would implement its no-work-no-pay policy if the union proceeds with the strike.
During a press conference at the University of Abuja, ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced that all branches of the union had been instructed to begin a full withdrawal of their services starting at midnight. He stated that this decision was necessary due to the government’s failure to meet the union’s demands. Piwuna noted that there had been no meaningful progress in addressing these issues, leading the union to proceed with the planned strike.
The 14-day notice, issued on September 28, 2025, had expired without any substantial response from the authorities. Piwuna warned that after the two-week warning strike, if the government still failed to act, the union would initiate a total and comprehensive strike. He emphasized that the union’s actions were aimed at drawing attention to the government’s refusal to implement agreements and address critical issues affecting Nigerian universities.
ASUU’s Demands
ASUU is demanding several key actions, including the conclusion and signing of the renegotiated 2009 agreement with the government; payment of the withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries of its members; sustainable funding and revitalization of public universities; an end to the victimisation of lecturers from Lagos State University, Kogi State University, and Federal University of Technology, Oweri (FUTO).
Other demands include the settlement of outstanding salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union dues. Despite multiple 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.
Piwuna criticized the outcome of an emergency meeting of the FGN/ASUU 2009 Agreement Renegotiation Committee held on October 10, describing the documents presented by the government as ‘provocative and inconsistent’ with previous drafts. He accused the government of bad faith and deliberate delay tactics, stating that months of negotiation had yielded no results.
Government Response
Reacting to the declaration of the warning strike by ASUU, the government, through a joint statement by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, reaffirmed its commitment to resolving ASUU’s grievances through dialogue. The statement emphasized the government’s sincerity, patience, and goodwill in its dialogue with the union.
It noted that most of ASUU’s concerns, such as increased teaching allowances and improved conditions of service, have been addressed. The statement also mentioned that other issues fall under the jurisdiction of university governing councils, which have been reconstituted to handle them. It urged ASUU to reconsider its stance and return to dialogue, stressing that the government remains open to engagement to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector.
CONUA’s Stance
Meanwhile, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), a breakaway faction of ASUU, has maintained that it has no issue with the government to declare a trade dispute. Addressing reporters in Abuja, CONUA President Niyi Sunmonu stated that embarking on a strike would be counterproductive. He mentioned that the members of CONUA had decided not to declare a trade dispute and that they had met with the government team, including the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, on September 11, 2025.
Student Perspectives
Speaking to Daily Trust, the Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Adeyemi Samson, highlighted that ASUU’s demands, such as improved research and infrastructure development, directly benefit students. He emphasized the need for diplomacy among all parties involved.
Students interviewed by Daily Trust expressed mixed feelings about the strike. While some described it as a disappointing disruption to their academic calendars, others viewed it as an opportunity to rest or prepare for upcoming examinations.
Oluwatosin Silver Oyindamola, a 100-level student of Languages and Linguistics at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, said: “In all honesty, I’m indifferent to the strike, but I don’t want it to happen.” Aduragbemi Arowoshola, a 400-level Philosophy student at the University of Abuja, described the planned industrial action as ill-timed and deeply inconvenient. Abdulkadir Umar Ladan, a final-year Pharmacy student at Gombe State University, described the news of the strike declaration as heart-breaking. Fatima Aliyu, a 300-level student of Sociology at the Federal University of Kashere, stated: “Honestly, I support ASUU if the strike will force the government to address the poor conditions in our universities.”
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
