Ahead of its planned industrial action, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The union announced the decision following a National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.
In a notice of strike action signed by the National president of ASUU, Chris Piwuna, the union decried the neglect of the university system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.
“Apart from engagement with the press, in August 2025, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities in both federal and state universities held rallies, carrying placards, on their campuses to press the government to address the lingering issues in the university system.
“Nothing came out of all these rallies and pleas. What is clear for now is that both the federal and state governments have a strong habit of paying little or no attention to the education sector in general and the welfare of university academics in particular,” ASUU stated.
It, however, stated that if at the end of the 14-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.
“If at the end of the 14-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.
“For the benefit of the doubt, they (the issues) include the following: re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, sustainable funding of our universities, revitalisation of universities, victimisation of our colleges in LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and FUTO,” the union stated.
Other issues, according to ASUU, are the outstanding 25 to 35 per cent salary areas, promotion arrears for over four years, and third-party deductions.
“ASUU is confident that the Nigerian leadership has the capacity to fix Nigerian universities once and for all. ASUU also believes strongly that the Nigerian Government has the financial strength to tackle the problem of University education in Nigeria.
“We are therefore calling on all well-meaning Nigerian citizens, religious and traditional rulers, parents, students, and all other stakeholders in the education sector to press the Nigerian government to turn its attention to Nigerian public universities. The time to do that is right now,” the statement added.
In August, ASUU warned of a possible nationwide strike, accusing the Federal Government of failing to honour longstanding agreements on the revitalisation and proper funding of Nigeria’s public universities.
It lamented that lecturers had endured over two years of broken promises and delay tactics by the government.