The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a nationwide two-week warning strike, beginning midnight, Monday, October 13, 2025, in all public universities across Nigeria.
The union’s National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the decision during a press conference on Sunday at the University of Abuja, citing the government’s continued inaction on longstanding issues affecting the Nigerian university system.
“All ASUU branches nationwide have been directed to commence a total and comprehensive withdrawal of services,” Professor Piwuna stated.
Background: Breakdown in Talks
ASUU had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on September 28, warning of industrial action should there be no meaningful progress in addressing the union’s demands. That notice has now expired without resolution.
The union, during its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, lamented the government’s consistent neglect of the education sector, and the failure to fulfill agreements reached in past negotiations, including the lingering 2009 ASUU-FG agreement.
“Apart from press engagements, ASUU members held peaceful rallies across campuses in August to call attention to our demands. Sadly, no action followed. It is evident that both federal and state governments continue to treat the education sector—and the welfare of academics—with disregard,” the union stated in a communique.
Federal Government Appeals for Restraint
Last week, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, appealed to ASUU to shelve its planned strike, assuring that negotiations were ongoing to address the union’s concerns.
Alausa said that the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Committee had been reconstituted to fast-track talks with academic and non-academic unions across tertiary institutions. He added that President Bola Tinubu had issued a directive to avoid further disruption in universities.
ASUU: Government’s Response Came Too Late
However, ASUU dismissed the government’s appeal as belated, accusing it of responding only under pressure and at the last minute.
“This government and its Ministry of Education are slow in responding to issues,” Piwuna said during an interview on Channels Television.
“We were given three weeks during a meeting in Sokoto, which we accepted. Yet, not a single word came from the government until the deadline was about to expire.”
He emphasized that ASUU remained open to dialogue but could no longer tolerate what it described as the government’s habitual disregard for university staff welfare and infrastructure needs.
“Our 2009 agreement is still under renegotiation after eight years. Appealing to us just two working days before the strike is not good faith. The appeal has come a little too late,” Piwuna added.
