As the 14-day ultimatum issued by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to the Federal Government expires, the union has confirmed plans to launch a two-week warning strike across Nigerian public universities starting Monday.
Why the Strike?
ASUU says the strike is necessary because the government has failed to satisfactorily meet its long-standing demands, despite repeated reminders and negotiation windows.
Key issues include:
Full implementation of the 2009 ASUU–FG Agreement
Release of the revitalization fund allocated in the national budget
Payment of promotion arrears, withheld salaries, and unresolved allowances, especially those affected by IPPIS (Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System)
Reinstatement of victimised academic staff in federal and state universities
Opposition to converting university grants into student loan schemes (e.g. NELFUND) instead of keeping education funding in the form of grants
At a students’ meeting at the University of Jos, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, ASUU’s chapter chair, stressed that the union’s decision arises from its National Executive Council meeting held in late September.
Government Reactions & Attempts to Avert Strike
In a bid to avert the impending strike, the Federal Government has taken several steps:
Expanded Negotiation Committee: The government reconstituted a unified committee led by Mahmud Yayale Ahmed to coordinate talks with ASUU and other tertiary unions.
Budget Provisions & Disbursements:
• The government says ₦150 billion was allocated in the 2025 budget for needs assessment in tertiary institutions.
• ₦50 billion has already been released for earned academic allowances.
This Day Live
Final Phase of Negotiations: The Education Ministry has indicated that technical teams are putting finishing touches on a counter-offer to submit to ASUU.
Plea to ASUU: The government has publicly appealed to ASUU to suspend or delay its industrial action, citing progress in talks and sincerity in engagement.
However, ASUU has rebuffed the last-minute appeal, saying it is too late to stop the strike unless substantial action is taken immediately.
Potential Impacts & What to Watch
If the warning strike begins as planned:
Academic activities — lectures, labs, exams, research — could pause nationwide during the strike period.
Delays in graduation, academic calendars, and student progression may worsen if public universities remain shut beyond the warning phase.
Should the government and union fail to agree after the warning strike, ASUU may escalate to a full indefinite strike.
Nigerian Observer
The strike could further strain trust between the union and the government, affecting future negotiations.
What to monitor in the coming days:
Whether the government presents a counter-offer acceptable to ASUU before Monday.
How state chapters of ASUU respond — whether they fully align with the national leadership.
Reactions from student bodies, parents, and civil society, possibly pressuring both sides.
Any legal or court interventions aimed at forestalling the strike.