The Federal Government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend its proposed strike action, assuring the union of its dedication to resolving all outstanding issues.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that the government is actively engaging with the union and that significant progress has been made in ongoing negotiations.
Dr. Alausa also revealed that the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed-led Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee has been reconstituted and officially inaugurated to expedite discussions with both academic and non-academic staff in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu has issued clear instructions to prevent any further disruptions in the country’s tertiary education system.
Meanwhile, ASUU has begun mobilising its members nationwide ahead of a possible warning strike, as the 14-day ultimatum it issued is set to expire on Sunday.
ASUU announced the ultimatum after a National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja. In a strike notice signed by ASUU National President, Chris Piwuna, the union criticised the government for neglecting the university system and ignoring its repeated demands.
The statement recalled that in August 2025, ASUU members across federal and state universities held rallies and carried placards to press the government to resolve persistent issues within the university system. However, the union lamented that these efforts yielded no tangible results.
“What is evident is that both federal and state governments continue to show little to no regard for the education sector at large and, specifically, the welfare of university lecturers,” ASUU said.
The union warned that if the Federal Government fails to take action before the 14-day ultimatum lapses, it may initiate a two-week warning strike, which could be followed by a total and indefinite strike.
