Barring any last-minute change, the Academic Staff Union of Universities will on Monday, October 13, 2025, commence a two-week nationwide warning strike to press home its demands from the Federal Government.
This was contained in a memo tagged “Strike Bulletin One” sent to all branches and obtained by our correspondent on Monday in Abuja.
The planned strike follows a two-week ultimatum issued by the union last week, asking the Federal Government to address its unresolved issues, including the signing and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
In the fresh memo to branches, ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, lamented the government’s failure to provide any meaningful response to the union’s demands despite the ultimatum.
The National Executive Council of our union, at its emergency meeting of 28 September, 2025, having evaluated the results of the referendum held across branches, resolved to give government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve the issues contained in the negotiated document transmitted to government since February, 2025,” Piwuna wrote.
“It was further resolved that the union will proceed on a two-week warning strike at the expiration of the ultimatum if government fails to take acceptable and satisfactory steps to address the lingering issues.
The resolutions were immediately communicated to the Honourable Minister of Labour, the Honourable Minister of Education and the Nigeria Labour Congress. It is now one week since those resolutions were reached and communicated to the appropriate authorities.
I regret to inform you that there is no meaningful development deserving any consideration to be reported.”
The ASUU president thanked members for their patience during what he described as “a tortuous negotiation” that has dragged on for more than eight years, urging them to remain united and resolute.
“As we enter the second and final week of the ultimatum, I thank you on behalf of NEC for the patience and understanding which you have demonstrated since the commencement of this tortuous negotiation that has unjustifiably lasted over eight years.
“The goal of our current action remains principally to compel the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement document, among other demands.
“The days ahead call for mobilisation of every member of our union to ensure unity of purpose. No one should be left out of the struggle for our welfare, to stem the japa syndrome, and reposition the Nigerian university system for global competitiveness.
We are strong when we organise, but weakened when we agonise! Our union has always acted in solidarity as a collective; this action will not be different.”
Piwuna instructed members to take directives only from their branch chairpersons, urging strict adherence to union channels.
Members are to take instructions only from their chairpersons. When in doubt, members should consult their chairpersons, zonal coordinators, and attend congress meetings regularly for updates on further developments,” he said.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, said updates on the government’s response would be provided “when available.”
The union’s decision follows the National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja.
