The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to begin a two-week nationwide warning strike on Monday, October 13, 2025, to press home its longstanding demands from the Federal Government. This development was disclosed in a memo titled “Strike Bulletin One” circulated to all branches and obtained by reporters in Abuja. The planned action follows a two-week ultimatum earlier issued by the union, urging the government to address unresolved issues, including the signing and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
In the new memo, ASUU National President Prof. Chris Piwuna expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to make any tangible progress despite the ultimatum. He explained that after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on September 28, 2025, and a referendum across branches, the union resolved to give the government 14 days to act on the issues presented in a document transmitted since February 2025. He stated that if the government failed to meet its demands, the union would embark on a two-week warning strike at the end of the ultimatum.
Prof. Piwuna noted that the resolutions were duly communicated to the Ministers of Labour and Education, as well as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). However, he lamented that no meaningful development had been recorded since the communication was made. He thanked members for their patience throughout what he described as a tortuous negotiation spanning over eight years and urged them to stay united and committed to the struggle.
The ASUU president reiterated that the union’s main goal remains to compel the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement, among other demands aimed at improving the welfare of university lecturers and enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian universities globally. He emphasized the importance of unity, stating that the strength of the union lies in collective action rather than individual frustration. Piwuna also directed members to take instructions only from their branch chairpersons and to remain informed through official communication channels.
However, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, said updates on the government’s response would be provided when available. ASUU’s latest decision followed its NEC meeting held on September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja. In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the union listed unresolved issues such as the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, sustainable funding for university revitalization, and the alleged victimization of lecturers in some institutions.
Other demands included the payment of outstanding 25–35 percent salary arrears, resolution of promotion arrears pending for over four years, and settlement of issues relating to third-party deductions. ASUU maintained that the Federal Government has the capacity to avert the impending strike if it takes decisive steps to resolve these lingering matters.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over the non-implementation of key resolutions reached with the union.
In a communiqué signed by its National President, Ibeji Nwokoma, after its NEC meeting held on October 4, 2025, at the Federal University, Lafia, NAAT expressed disappointment with the Ministry of Education’s failure to convene meetings to address long-standing issues. The union listed grievances including the stalled renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement, non-mainstreaming of earned allowances, delays in salary payments, and non-release of circulars for promotions to CONTISS 14 and 15. NAAT warned that if the government fails to meet its demands within 14 days, it would have no option but to embark on an industrial action.