The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is poised to begin a two-week warning strike on Monday following the expiration of its two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to address lingering issues affecting the nation’s university system.
The strike threat comes as the Federal Government has yet to make a public statement on the matter despite the ultimatum’s expiration on Sunday night.
ASUU had earlier directed all its branches nationwide to prepare for the industrial action after what it described as the government’s failure to meet key demands, including full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, improved welfare, and funding for public universities.
Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa had last Wednesday assured that the government was in the final phase of negotiations with ASUU and other unions.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had already released ₦50 billion for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, with an additional ₦150 billion captured in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be disbursed in three tranches.
“They deserve to be paid well, and our academic and non-academic staff deserve improved welfare. But we can’t give everything at once. What matters is our sincerity and commitment to substantial improvements in their conditions,” Alausa stated.
However, ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna criticised the Ministry of Education for what he termed its “habitual delay” in addressing critical issues affecting university lecturers.
“The ultimatum expires on Sunday, and after that, there will be a warning strike unless something substantial comes from the government,” Piwuna said.
“If we receive something meaningful within the next 48 hours, we’ll present it to our members to decide the next line of action.”
The looming strike raises fresh concerns over potential disruptions to academic activities across Nigerian universities, coming barely a year after the last nationwide industrial action crippled the higher education sector for eight months.
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