ASUU Begins Two-Week Nationwide Strike Over Unfulfilled Government Promises

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially commenced a two-week nationwide warning strike, following the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum it earlier issued to the Federal Government.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the National President of ASUU, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced that the industrial action takes immediate effect from midnight, October 13, 2025.

Professor Piwuna explained that the decision became necessary after the Federal Government failed to implement several agreements previously reached with the union, as well as to address the recurring challenges facing public universities in Nigeria.

He stated, “Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight, 12:01 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025. The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting.”

The ASUU president noted that the two-week strike is a warning measure intended to compel the government to act swiftly on unresolved issues such as university funding, lecturers’ welfare, academic allowances, and the autonomy of institutions.

ASUU had earlier, on September 28, 2025, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, lamenting what it described as the government’s “consistent insensitivity” to the plight of Nigerian universities and academic staff.

The union emphasized that despite numerous meetings and assurances from government officials, no tangible progress had been made on key agreements, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, payment of earned academic allowances, revitalization funds, and the implementation of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

With this latest strike, academic activities in public universities across the country are expected to be suspended, leaving thousands of students uncertain about the continuation of the academic calendar.

Meanwhile, reactions have begun to trail the development, with students and parents expressing frustration over the recurring industrial disputes that have plagued the Nigerian university system.

Education stakeholders are urging both ASUU and the Federal Government to return to the negotiation table and find a lasting solution to the lingering issues, to prevent further disruption of academic activities in the country.