The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced a two-week warning strike following the breakdown of negotiations with the Federal Government after the expiration of its 14-day ultimatum on Sunday.
The industrial action, which took effect from midnight on Monday, was confirmed by the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).
According to ASUU leadership, the decision to embark on the strike was reached after extensive consultations with its branches and was deemed necessary due to what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to meet long-standing commitments regarding staff welfare, funding, and institutional revitalisation.
Unresolved Demands and Collapsed Negotiations
Despite several meetings between government representatives and ASUU over the past weeks, both sides failed to reach a consensus.
The government had presented a new proposal to address the union’s grievances, but ASUU described the offer as inconsistent with the previously renegotiated draft agreement developed by the Yayale Ahmed Committee.
The union’s leadership maintained that the government’s latest proposal fell short of addressing critical issues such as the full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, release of withheld salaries, revitalisation of decaying infrastructure, and payment of outstanding promotion and earned academic allowances.
ASUU also accused the government of failing to show genuine commitment to resolving outstanding disputes despite repeated assurances.
The union argued that previous pledges to settle key demands had not translated into tangible results, forcing its members to take decisive action.
Government’s Position and “No-Work-No-Pay” Warning
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, expressed disappointment over ASUU’s decision, insisting that dialogue remained the best route to resolve the crisis. Officials claimed that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated goodwill by approving ₦50 billion for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances and budgeting another ₦150 billion for university needs assessment in 2025.
However, government representatives warned that the “no-work-no-pay” policy remains in effect, emphasizing that the administration will not compromise on accountability and adherence to labour laws.
The ministry reiterated that the education reform agenda under the Renewed Hope Initiative prioritises improved staff welfare, institutional autonomy, and funding efficiency.
Officials further appealed to the union to reconsider its stance and return to the negotiation table, noting that prolonged strikes would only deepen the instability in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
ASUU’s Response and Way Forward
In response, ASUU maintained that the strike was a last resort after months of unproductive dialogue. The union’s president insisted that its members had exercised enough patience and that continued silence would only embolden the government’s neglect of the education sector.
The NEC resolved that the two-week warning strike would be total and comprehensive with all members directed to suspend academic activities across universities pending further directives.
The union also announced plans to submit its own counter-proposal to the government, highlighting what it described as distortions and policy inconsistencies in the federal offer.
ASUU reiterated its call for the sustainable funding of public universities and the immediate release of all withheld entitlements, arguing that the recurring industrial unrest stems from the government’s pattern of unfulfilled promises and disregard for collective agreements.
Students and Stakeholders React
Students across various campuses expressed concern over the strike, warning that another disruption could delay academic calendars and affect graduation timelines.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) called for urgent intervention by both parties to avert an extended shutdown, appealing for “genuine dialogue over bureaucratic posturing.”
Education analysts have also warned that repeated disruptions risk undermining the quality and competitiveness of Nigeria’s tertiary education system. The recurring standoff, they noted, not only affects teaching and research productivity but also discourages foreign academic collaboration and investment in the sector.
A Familiar Cycle
The latest strike highlights the deep-rooted structural and policy deficiencies that have long plagued Nigeria’s university system.
Over the past decade, ASUU’s recurring industrial actions have reflected a persistent trust deficit between the government and academic unions.
As the two-week warning strike begins, attention now turns to whether both sides can reach a compromise that restores stability in public universities or whether this marks the beginning of another prolonged closure in Nigeria’s higher education sector.