ASUU threatens fresh nationwide strike as ultimatum nears deadline

...accuses FG of indifference to lecturers’ welfare

Barely a week to the expiration of its 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has begun full mobilisation for what could become another nationwide strike, citing government’s failure to address its long-standing demands.

In a circular titled “Strike Bulletin No. 1”, dated October 5, 2025, and signed by its President, Prof Christopher Piwuna, the union expressed frustration over what it called the “continued lethargy and indifference” of the government towards critical issues affecting university lecturers and public tertiary institutions.

Prof Piwuna disclosed that despite resolutions reached at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja, and promptly communicated to relevant authorities, there had been “no meaningful development deserving of any consideration.”

“The resolutions were immediately communicated to the Honourable Minister of Labour, the Honourable Minister of Education, and the Nigeria Labour Congress. It is now one week since those resolutions were reached and communicated. I regret to inform you that there is no meaningful development deserving of any consideration to be reported,” Piwuna stated.

The ASUU President lamented that negotiations between the union and the government ongoing for over eight years have yielded minimal progress. He warned that the union may have no choice but to resume strike action to compel the government to honour its commitments.

“As we enter the final week of the ultimatum, I thank our members for their patience and understanding throughout this tortuous process. Our goal remains to compel the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement and fulfil other pending commitments,” he said.

Piwuna urged all members to remain united and vigilant, adding that only directives from recognised union leaders, branch chairpersons, and zonal coordinators should be obeyed as mobilisation intensifies nationwide.

If the strike is declared, it would again disrupt academic activities across Nigeria’s public universities, a development that could further stall the academic calendar and deepen concerns over the persistent crises in the education sector.