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 union had earlier directed all its branches nationwide to prepare for the industrial action after accusing the government of failing to address its long-standing demands.
Despite the ultimatum expiring on Sunday night, the Federal Government has yet to release any official statement on the impending strike.
The renewed standoff comes amid ongoing negotiations between ASUU and the government aimed at resolving issues surrounding welfare, university funding, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had assured during a media briefing in Abuja last week that the government was in the final phase of discussions with ASUU and other tertiary institution unions to avert another disruption of the academic calendar.
Alausa highlighted that the Tinubu administration had released N50 billion for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances and captured an additional N150 billion in the 2025 budget for university needs assessment, to be disbursed in three tranches.
“They (lecturers) deserve to be paid well, and our academic and non-academic staff deserve improved welfare,” he said. “But we can’t give everything at once. What matters is our sincerity and commitment to substantial improvements in their conditions.”
He further explained that the government had settled promotion arrears and other outstanding allowances, including teaching and wage awards, assuring that any remaining financial obligations would be cleared by 2026.
Reiterating the administration’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace and stability in the education sector, Dr. Alausa urged the unions to remain patient and continue engaging in dialogue rather than embarking on industrial actions that could disrupt academic activities across universities.
He added …
“We have resolved many of these issues, and we are at the final stage — the condition of service”
“This government is sincere and has demonstrated that over the last two years. Please bear with us.”
Alausa further disclosed that, for the first time, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and officials from the Ministry of Justice were actively involved in the negotiations to ensure that all agreements reached were legally sound and enforceable.
ASUU president speaks
However, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, faulted the Ministry of Education for what he described as its persistent delays in tackling pressing issues affecting university lecturers. He accused the ministry of adopting a reactive approach rather than taking proactive steps to resolve longstanding challenges in the nation’s tertiary education system.
He said, “Their ultimatum expires on Sunday, and after that, there will be a warning strike unless something substantial comes out from the government. So, in the next 48 hours, we expect to receive something substantial from the government.
“Then, we can go back to our members and ask, ‘Do you think this is sufficient for us to hold on?’ and we will do what our members ask us to do.”
Meanwhile, sources in several federal universities, including the University of Jos, Ahmadu Bello University, and the University of Abuja, confirmed that mobilization for the strike had already begun.
At the University of Jos, PUNCH correspondent gathered that the ASUU leadership had met with other union leaders to rally support for the planned industrial action.
When contacted for comments, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, declined to respond.