ASUU Rejects Federal Government’s Appeal, Confirms Warning Strike Will Begin October 13

 ASUU Rejects Federal Government’s Appeal, Confirms Warning Strike Will Begin October 13

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has firmly rejected the Federal Government’s last-minute plea to suspend its planned warning strike, insisting that the intervention came “a little too late.”

The strike, scheduled to begin on Sunday, October 13, 2025, comes after weeks of silence from government officials despite repeated warnings and deadlines issued by the union.

ASUU’s National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he faulted the government for its “habitual delay” in addressing critical issues affecting university lecturers.

Government’s Slow Response Frustrates Lecturers

Speaking during the interview, Professor Piwuna expressed disappointment with the Ministry of Education, accusing it of failing to act promptly despite several opportunities to avert the looming industrial action.

“The problem we have with this government and this Ministry of Education is that they are slow in responding to our demands,”
— Prof. Chris Piwuna, ASUU President

He revealed that after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Sokoto, ASUU granted the government a three-week window to address lingering issues. However, he said that the government did not reach out or make any effort within that period.

“They gave us three weeks; we accepted. But we never heard a word from them until the three weeks elapsed. Not even a courtesy call to say, ‘Gentlemen, we are running short of time,’” Piwuna lamented.

Backstory: ASUU’s Ultimatum to the Federal Government

On September 28, ASUU issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding that it fulfil key aspects of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, which has remained unresolved for over a decade.

The union warned that failure to act within the deadline would lead to a two-week warning strike, potentially escalating into an indefinite shutdown of Nigeria’s public universities if no meaningful resolution was reached.

Two days ago, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed that discussions with ASUU and other university-based unions were in their “final stages,” focusing on issues related to staff welfare, funding, and implementation of past agreements.

However, the union insists that the government’s response came too late to prevent industrial action.

ASUU: “The Appeal Came Too Late”

Professor Piwuna disclosed that the government only reached out two working days before the planned strike, urging the union to reconsider its decision.

“Yesterday, they appealed to us not to embark on action. But our 2009 agreement is still being renegotiated after eight years. Two working days before a strike, they come to appeal to us. I think the appeal has come a little too late,” he said.

According to him, the union has been patient and transparent throughout the negotiation process, but the government’s repeated delays and unfulfilled promises have left lecturers no choice but to act.

He confirmed that unless the Federal Government takes concrete and visible action within the next 48 hours, the planned strike will proceed as scheduled.

“The ultimatum expires on Sunday. After that, there will be a warning strike unless something substantial comes from the government within the next 24 to 48 hours,” Piwuna stated.

ASUU Loses Confidence in Government Promises

Piwuna said the union’s decision was influenced by the government’s pattern of insincerity and inconsistency in handling agreements over the years.

“We have never trusted any government. They have never come through with what they promised us,” he said.

He likened the government’s handling of negotiations to a football game, where issues are kicked around without resolution.

“The government sees our engagement like a football they need to dribble. You touch it, you hit it this way, you go, you come back. That’s exactly how they treat our issues,” Piwuna remarked.

The ASUU President emphasized that while the union remains open to dialogue, trust must be earned through genuine action rather than empty assurances.

Key Issues Behind ASUU’s Planned Strike

The 2025 ASUU strike threat revolves around longstanding grievances that have persisted through successive administrations. These include:

1. Full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement

   • The agreement covers university funding, salaries, and staff welfare.

   • ASUU says the Federal Government has failed to honour key commitments made over 15 years ago.

2. Improved welfare for academic staff

   • Lecturers demand better conditions of service and regular payment of earned academic allowances.

3. Autonomy of public universities

   • ASUU insists that universities must operate free from bureaucratic interference that affects their efficiency.

4. Adequate funding for public universities

   • The union argues that Nigeria’s higher education sector is severely underfunded, leading to infrastructure decay, poor research output, and brain drain.

Implications for Students and the Academic Calendar

The planned strike could once again disrupt academic activities across Nigeria’s public universities, leaving thousands of students stranded and uncertain about their future.

Nigeria’s university system has faced repeated interruptions over the years, with ASUU strikes lasting several months  often triggered by the same unresolved issues.

Parents, students, and education advocates have urged both parties to reach a compromise, warning that another strike could worsen the country’s education crisis and deepen youth frustration.

What Happens Next

ASUU’s final decision will depend on the government’s response before Sunday, October 13.
If the government provides substantial evidence of commitment, the union may review its stance. However, if no progress is made, public universities across Nigeria will begin a two-week warning strike that could escalate into a prolonged industrial action.

For now, the union maintains that it is acting in the interest of the education system, not for personal gain.

“We are not fighting the government; we are fighting for the survival of Nigerian universities,”
— Prof. Chris Piwuna, ASUU President