The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve long-standing issues affecting Nigeria’s public universities, warning that failure to act could trigger a fresh round of strike action.
The decision was taken after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja.
In a statement personally signed by ASUU’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, and made available to journalists in Abuja, the union accused the government of neglecting the university system and failing to respond meaningfully to its demands.
“At the National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on the 28th of September, 2025, the Union decried the neglect of the university system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.
Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the fourteen-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,” the statement read.
FG’s Response Still Pending
It will be recalled that the Federal Ministry of Education had earlier set up a committee chaired by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abel Enitan, to review ASUU’s proposals and engage the union on the way forward. However, as of the time of filing this report, the committee has yet to announce any decision or concrete action.
ASUU’s Core Demands
The union’s major demands, which have remained largely unchanged over the years, include:
- Renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government.
- Adequate revitalisation funds for public universities to upgrade infrastructure and facilities.
- Settlement of outstanding salary arrears owed to academic staff.
- Implementation of a sustainable funding mechanism to guarantee long-term stability in the university system.
- Recognition and respect for academic autonomy and collective bargaining agreements.
Implications of Strike Threat
ASUU remains a powerful force in Nigeria’s education sector, with its members forming the bulk of academic staff across federal and state universities. Past strikes by the union have crippled academic activities nationwide, sometimes for months, leaving students stranded and disrupting academic calendars.
Many education stakeholders and parents have already expressed concern that another ASUU strike could worsen the crisis in Nigeria’s higher education system, where many universities are still recovering from prolonged disruptions caused by previous industrial actions.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government is under increasing pressure to act swiftly, as the countdown to the 14-day deadline begins, with the threat of a two-week warning strike — and potentially an indefinite shutdown of the university system — looming.
