The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands or face a fresh round of industrial action that could again cripple academic activities across Nigeria’s public universities.
In a Strike Bulletin signed by ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, and dated October 5, 2025, the union said the decision followed an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) held on September 29, where members reviewed the outcome of a referendum conducted across university branches.
According to the bulletin, ASUU resolved that if the government fails to take “acceptable and satisfactory steps” to address the lingering issues within the 14-day window, the union would embark on a two-week warning strike immediately after the ultimatum expires.
The union disclosed that it had already communicated its resolutions to the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Education and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), but lamented that one week after, there had been “no meaningful development deserving of any consideration.”
ASUU expressed frustration over what it described as an unjustifiable delay in implementing the renegotiated 2009 Agreement and other key demands, which have kept the academic sector in crisis for over eight years.
“The goal of our current action remains principally to compel Government to sign and implement the renegotiated Agreement document, amongst other demands,” the bulletin stated.
Piwuna urged all ASUU members across campuses to begin full mobilisation in preparation for the possible strike, stressing that no member should be left out of the collective struggle to safeguard their welfare and reposition Nigeria’s university system for global competitiveness.
“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,” the ASUU President declared.
He further emphasised that unity remains the union’s greatest strength, warning that disunity only weakens their cause.
“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,” he said.
ASUU also directed its members to take instructions only from their branch chairpersons, urging them to consult zonal coordinators and attend congress meetings regularly for updates on further developments.
