…Fresh standoff raises fears of prolonged closure across public universities
…Reforms are already in motion — FG
…As lecturers accuse FG of neglecting education
By Obasola Olatunde
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a total and comprehensive two-week nationwide warning strike across all public universities in Nigeria, effective midnight on Monday, 13 October 2025.
The industrial action follows the Federal Government’s alleged failure to address the union’s long-standing demands, despite a 14-day ultimatum that expired on 28 September.
ASUU’s National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the decision at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, expressing disappointment at the lack of concrete progress in negotiations.
“All ASUU branches across the country have been directed to fully withdraw their services starting Monday. The strike will be total and comprehensive,” Piwuna said.
He accused both federal and state governments of neglecting the education sector and failing to show genuine commitment to revitalising public universities or improving the welfare of academic staff.
The union maintained that the strike would continue until government authorities take decisive steps to meet its key demands, which include full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, release of revitalisation funds for public universities, and a reviewed salary structure that better reflects the value of academic work.
Following the announcement, the Federal Government appealed to ASUU to reconsider its position and return to the negotiation table.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu had directed that all unresolved matters be addressed through dialogue.
Dr Alausa explained that the government had reconstituted and inaugurated the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed-led Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee to accelerate discussions with both academic and non-academic unions.
“We are already engaging all relevant stakeholders to resolve these issues once and for all. The President has made it clear that there must be no further disruption in the nation’s tertiary institutions,” he said.
However, ASUU dismissed the government’s appeal as coming “a little too late.”
Professor Piwuna argued that the authorities waited until two working days before the strike to reach out, despite being fully aware of the ultimatum.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Piwuna described the government’s approach as slow and unresponsive, saying this attitude had compounded the union’s frustrations.
He added that the 2009 agreement was still being renegotiated after eight years, a sign of the government’s failure to act decisively.
“Appeals made two days to strike action cannot replace genuine commitment,” he said, reiterating ASUU’s dissatisfaction with years of unmet promises on funding, salaries, and working conditions in Nigerian universities.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to both sides to resume talks, insisting that students should not continue to bear the consequences of recurring industrial disputes.
In a statement signed by its Assistant Secretary General, Comrade Adejuwon Olatunji Emmanuel, NANS said its President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, had begun high-level consultations with both ASUU leadership and government representatives to avert the looming shutdown.
The association disclosed that the intervention was already fostering dialogue, particularly as both the NANS President and ASUU’s National President are alumni of the University of Jos, where initial meetings reportedly held.
“While we fully acknowledge and respect ASUU’s legitimate grievances, we appeal to the Union to consider other peaceful options beyond strike actions that disrupt the academic calendar and deepen the hardship faced by students,” the statement read.
NANS also called on the Federal Government to demonstrate sincerity and urgency in addressing its obligations to lecturers and revitalising universities, warning that the students’ body “will not sit idly by if the education of Nigerian youths is once again jeopardised.”
“The future of the Nigerian student must not be sacrificed on the altar of bureaucracy and broken promises. NANS stands ready to facilitate a fair resolution built on mutual respect and accountability,” the statement added.
…Dialogue remains best path to settle university disputes — FG
In a follow-up statement, the Federal Government again appealed to ASUU to reconsider its planned strike, insisting that constructive dialogue remains the most sustainable way to resolve all outstanding issues in the tertiary education sector.
In a joint statement signed by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, the government said it had already presented a comprehensive offer to ASUU and was awaiting the union’s formal response.
According to the statement, the proposal addresses ASUU’s main concerns, including conditions of service, institutional governance, and staff welfare.
The Ministers disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved an enhanced Teaching Allowance to reflect the value of academic work and encourage lecturers in public universities.
“All matters relating to the review of conditions of service have been addressed, except those under the purview of individual university governing councils, which are actively being handled. The Federal Government remains open and committed to continued engagement with ASUU once its official response to the offer is received,” the statement said.
They added that the government had acted in good faith through swift policy decisions and financial interventions in the education sector, yet ASUU appeared determined to proceed with its strike despite the pending offer and ongoing discussions.
The Ministers reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration remains committed to the welfare of lecturers and the stability of the university system. They explained that ongoing reforms in the sector are guided by fairness, accountability, and institutional strengthening to ensure long-term academic excellence.
While reiterating the government’s respect for university autonomy, they clarified that certain elements of ASUU’s demands, particularly those involving internal governance, appointments, and promotions, fall within the jurisdiction of university governing councils. They appealed to the union to allow these matters to be handled at the institutional level in accordance with established procedures.
The Ministers also reminded ASUU that the “No Work, No Pay” policy remains valid under Nigerian labour law and would be enforced if the strike goes ahead.
“While the government remains committed to peaceful dialogue, it will also uphold existing laws to protect the integrity of the education system and ensure accountability,” the statement cautioned.
They assured Nigerians that the government remains open to genuine engagement with ASUU and other stakeholders, maintaining that recent interventions demonstrate a clear resolve to revitalise universities, improve staff welfare, and ensure uninterrupted academic sessions.
“The government has shown sincerity and determination through its actions and consultations. We believe that, through continued dialogue, every legitimate concern can be resolved without shutting down our campuses. Our students must remain in school,” the statement concluded.