ASUU begins two weeks warning strike, halts academic activities nationwide
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, October 13, 2025.
The industrial action is in protest of the Federal Government's failure to address the union’s long-standing demands, despite a 14-day ultimatum that expired on September 28.
ASUU's National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the decision at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, citing the lack of meaningful 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 stated.
He accused both federal and state governments of neglecting the education sector and failing to show concrete commitment to revitalizing universities and improving the welfare of academic staff.
The union insists the strike will continue unless the government takes concrete steps to meet its demands. These demands include the full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, the release of revitalisation funds for public universities, and an improved salary structure and welfare for lecturers.
In response to the strike declaration, the Federal Government appealed to ASUU to reconsider its action and return to the negotiation table.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, assured the public that President Bola Tinubu had directed that all outstanding issues be addressed through dialogue.
Dr. Alausa explained that the government had already taken steps by reconstituting and inaugurating the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed-led Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee to fast-track talks with both academic and non-academic unions.
“We are already engaging all relevant stakeholders to resolve these issues once and for all. The President is clear that there must be no further disruption in the nation’s tertiary institutions,” the Minister stated.
However, ASUU has dismissed the government’s appeal as coming “a little too late.”
Professor Piwuna argued that the authorities waited until two working days before the scheduled strike to reach out, despite the clear ultimatum.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Professor Piwuna maintained that the government’s slow and unresponsive attitude is the problem.
He pointed out that their 2009 agreement is still being renegotiated after eight years.
“Appeals made two days to strike action cannot replace genuine commitment,” he asserted, underscoring the union's frustration with years of unfulfilled promises regarding funding, salary structure, and working conditions in Nigeria's public universities.