By DAYO ADESULU
Union Moves After Expiration of 14-Day Ultimatum
Barring any last-minute intervention, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will commence a two-week nationwide warning strike on Monday, October 13, 2025, over the Federal Government’s failure to meet its longstanding demands.
The planned action was confirmed in a memo titled “Strike Bulletin One,” circulated to all ASUU branches and obtained by reporters in Abuja on Monday.
According to the document, the strike follows the expiration of a two-week ultimatum issued last week, demanding that the government sign and implement the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, among other unresolved issues.
Government Ignored Repeated Warnings — ASUU President
In the memo, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, expressed disappointment that the Federal Government had yet to take “meaningful steps” to address the issues despite several communications.
“The National Executive Council (NEC) of our union, at its emergency meeting of September 28, 2025, resolved to issue a 14-day ultimatum for the government to act,” Piwuna stated.
He added that ASUU would embark on a two-week warning strike once the ultimatum expires, citing the government’s failure to implement the negotiated document transmitted since February 2025.
“It’s now one week since those resolutions were communicated to the Ministers of Labour and Education, and no development worthy of consideration has been recorded,” he wrote.
Lecturers Urged to Mobilise and Remain United
Prof. Piwuna thanked members for their patience during what he described as a “tortuous negotiation” lasting over eight years. He called for unity and mobilisation across all campuses, stressing that the strike aims to compel the government to fulfill its obligations and reposition Nigerian universities.
“We are strong when we organise but weakened when we agonise,” he added, urging members to take instructions only from their branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators.
Key Issues Behind ASUU’s Action
The communiqué from the NEC meeting listed the following unresolved issues:
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Signing and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement
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University revitalisation funding
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Payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears
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Settlement of promotion arrears lingering for over four years
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Resolution of third-party deductions withheld by government agencies
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Addressing the victimisation of lecturers in some federal universities
The union insisted that the Federal Government has the capacity to prevent the strike if it prioritises education and honours its promises.
NAAT Issues 14-Day Ultimatum Over Unmet Demands
Meanwhile, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over the non-implementation of agreements reached during previous negotiations.
In a communiqué released after its NEC meeting held on October 4, 2025, at the Federal University of Lafia, NAAT expressed frustration over the government’s failure to act on critical issues affecting its members.
NAAT’s National President, Ibeji Nwokoma, said the union was displeased that the Ministry of Education, led by Dr. Tunji Alausa, had yet to convene any meaningful meeting to resolve the matter.
The statement highlighted several grievances, including the non-mainstreaming of earned allowances, delays in salary payments, and failure to release the enabling circular for CONTISS 14 and 15 career progression.
“While NAAT remains open to dialogue, failure to act within the stipulated period will leave the union with no option but to declare an industrial action,” the communiqué stated.
Implications for Nigeria’s Higher Education System
The simultaneous agitation by ASUU and NAAT underscores the growing tension within Nigeria’s higher education system. Both unions accuse the government of neglecting university staff welfare and delaying reforms necessary for global competitiveness.
Stakeholders warn that another prolonged shutdown of universities could disrupt the academic calendar, worsen the “Japa” migration trend among lecturers, and further erode public confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
As of Monday, the Ministry of Education said it would provide updates on the government’s response “when available.”
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