ASUU Set To Begin Two-Week Warning Strike As Ultimatum To Government Expires
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are poised to begin a two-week warning strike on Monday unless a last-minute resolution is reached with the Federal Government.
The strike follows the expiration of a two-week ultimatum given to the government to address the union’s long-standing demands. By Sunday night, no official response had been issued regarding the imminent industrial action.
ASUU had directed its branches across the country to prepare for the strike, highlighting growing frustration despite ongoing negotiations aimed at preventing disruptions in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
On Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the government was in the final stages of talks with ASUU and other university unions, focusing on welfare, funding, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
Alausa said significant progress had already been made, including the release of N50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances and the inclusion of N150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be disbursed in three tranches.
“They deserve to be paid well, and our academic and non-academic staff deserve improved welfare,” Alausa said. “We can’t give everything at once, but we are committed to making substantial improvements in their conditions.”
He added that promotion arrears and other pending allowances had been addressed, with remaining obligations expected to be cleared by 2026. The minister urged the unions to favor dialogue over strikes and reiterated the government’s commitment to sustainable peace in the education sector.
For the first time, the negotiation process has included officials from the Ministry of Justice, including the Solicitor-General of the Federation, to ensure that agreements are legally binding and enforceable.
ASUU president, Prof. Chris Piwuna, criticized the Education Ministry for repeatedly delaying action on critical issues affecting lecturers.
“The ultimatum expires on Sunday, and if the government does not present something substantial, a warning strike will commence,” he said. “Within the next 48 hours, we expect a meaningful response. Then we will consult our members to determine the next step.”
Preparations for the strike are already underway at several federal universities, including the University of Jos, Ahmadu Bello University, and the University of Abuja. At the University of Jos, ASUU leaders met with branch executives to secure support for the planned action.
Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, declined to comment when contacted about the strike.
