Barring any last-minute intervention, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to commence a two-week warning strike on Monday following the expiration of its two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government.
The ultimatum, which ended on Sunday night, demanded that the government address long-standing issues affecting university lecturers, including welfare, funding, and the full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement. As of Sunday, there was no official response from the Federal Government regarding the looming industrial action.
ASUU had earlier directed its branches nationwide to prepare for the warning strike pending further communication from the national leadership.
The latest face-off comes despite ongoing negotiations between the government and the union aimed at averting another disruption in academic activities across the nation’s tertiary institutions.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed that discussions with ASUU and other university unions were in the final phase. He noted that the Tinubu administration had released ₦50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances and earmarked another ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment projects, to be disbursed in three tranches.
“They deserve to be paid well, and both academic and non-academic staff deserve improved welfare,” Alausa said. “We can’t give everything at once, but we are sincere and committed to meaningful progress.”
He added that arrears of promotion, teaching allowances, and wage awards had been addressed, while other outstanding payments would be cleared by 2026.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to stability in the education sector, the minister urged the unions to show patience and continue engaging in dialogue rather than resorting to strikes.
Alausa also revealed that, for the first time, officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Solicitor-General of the Federation were directly involved in the negotiations to ensure that any agreements reached would be legally enforceable.
However, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, faulted the government’s handling of the talks, accusing the Ministry of Education of habitual delays in addressing critical issues affecting lecturers.
“The ultimatum expires on Sunday, and after that, there will be a warning strike unless something substantial comes from the government,” Piwuna stated. “If the government responds positively, we’ll consult our members to decide the next step.”
Sources from several federal universities, including the University of Jos, Ahmadu Bello University, and the University of Abuja, confirmed that preparations for the strike were already underway. At the University of Jos, ASUU leadership reportedly met with union members to mobilize support.
When contacted, the Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, declined to comment on the development.
