The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will meet on Thursday, August 28, in a decisive move aimed at averting another nationwide strike that threatens to cripple public universities. The meeting comes on the heels of widespread protests by ASUU members across university campuses earlier in the week.
Stakeholders have described the forthcoming engagement as a make-or-break deliberation, warning that any failure to achieve meaningful resolution may trigger another prolonged strike in the nation’s tertiary institutions. For two days, Monday and Tuesday, August 25 and 26, ASUU branches nationwide held congresses and rallies, where members overwhelmingly voted in favour of strike action if the government fails to meet their demands.
A senior official of the union confirmed that the invitation to Thursday’s meeting was received just before the various branches commenced their protest rallies. However, members stressed during their congresses that the outcome of the meeting would determine the next phase of the union’s struggle for improved university education in Nigeria.
“Our position is clear. Once the Thursday meeting does not produce a positive result, the union will certainly take appropriate action to meet the expectations of our members who are agitated. We cannot continue to tell our members stories,” the ASUU National Administrative Council (NAC) member said. He noted that renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, reversal of victimisation of members, unresolved salary arrears, and the controversial IPPIS payroll system are central issues that must be addressed.
The union insists that payment of three and a half months’ withheld salaries, resolution of pending promotion arrears, and settlement of outstanding third-party deductions are crucial to calming the growing agitation among lecturers. According to ASUU, failure to address these demands would demonstrate the government’s lack of seriousness in revitalising the university system.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, reaffirmed the union’s commitment to dialogue but lamented the government’s repeated failure to implement agreements. He explained that the contentious issues are not new but unresolved promises that date back to several negotiation rounds. “Our demands are simple, and they are based on agreements already signed by the government,” he said.
Piwuna identified key areas of contention as the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, sustainable funding for public universities, and comprehensive revitalisation of the institutions. He further pointed to unresolved cases of victimisation of colleagues in Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO).
Other grievances include outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, non-payment of earned allowances, and over four years of promotion arrears that have left many academic staff demoralised. Piwuna stressed that these issues, if not resolved, could spark another crisis in the education sector with dire consequences for students and parents alike.
The ASUU leader disclosed that the government has previously made commitments to address these matters, but regrettably, most remain unattended. He argued that the continued neglect of these critical issues amounts to insensitivity, which may leave the union with no choice but to embark on strike.
He also reminded Nigerians that ASUU has shown extraordinary patience since its last industrial action. According to him, the union has employed several strategies, including peaceful letters, appeals, and advocacy, all aimed at resolving the conflict without resorting to strikes. “The public should note that ASUU has written countless letters to the government, urging it to resolve this crisis amicably, but our efforts have often been met with silence,” he added.
Piwuna accused the Federal Government of being the main catalyst for repeated crises in the education sector. He warned that if the government continues to push ASUU into a corner, the union would have no option but to declare another strike to protect the integrity of Nigerian universities.
As Thursday’s meeting draws near, both parties face mounting pressure from students, parents, and education stakeholders who fear another prolonged shutdown. All eyes are now on the outcome of the deliberation, which will determine whether peace is restored in the nation’s universities or whether Nigeria braces for yet another disruptive strike.
