The Federal Government, through the Yayale Ahmed Renegotiation Committee, has scheduled meetings on Monday, November 24, 2025, and Tuesday, November 25, 2025, in a bid to prevent a looming strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) is expected to convene shortly after the government talks to decide whether to commence industrial action. A senior NEC member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed skepticism about the timing of the meetings, suggesting the government may be employing “delay tactics” to stall the union’s response.
The union had previously suspended a two-week warning strike on October 22, granting the government a one-month window to meet its demands, which include:
- Review of the 2009 ASUU–Federal Government agreement
- Payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances
- Disbursement of the university revitalisation fund
ASUU has warned that it would resume industrial action without prior notice if no meaningful progress is made within the stipulated timeframe.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has insisted that the government has met the union’s key demands. Speaking to State House correspondents, Alausa reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that public universities must not go on strike. He affirmed that negotiations are ongoing and emphasized the government’s commitment to keeping students in school.
He said, “The President has said he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure that our students stay in school. We have met virtually all their requirements and continue to engage the leadership at the negotiation table to resolve the matter.”
