The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again drawn the nation’s attention to the Federal Government’s failure to fulfill agreements previously reached with the union. In a statement released from the Festus Iyayi National Secretariat Complex at the University of Abuja, ASUU announced a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve the lingering issues surrounding the renegotiated agreement transmitted since February 2025. The union stated that failure to act within this period would lead to a two-week warning strike across all Nigerian universities.
According to the statement signed by the ASUU National President, Dr. Christopher Piwuna, the decision was reached after an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) held on September 29, 2025. The meeting reviewed the results of a referendum conducted across all branches of the union, which showed overwhelming support for industrial action should the government continue to delay the implementation of the renegotiated document. The union stressed that its position is based on the collective will of its members, who are frustrated by the government’s unfulfilled promises and eight years of unproductive negotiation.
The communiqué noted that ASUU had communicated its resolutions to the Honourable Minister of Labour, the Honourable Minister of Education, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), yet there had been no significant response. “It is now one week since those resolutions were communicated to the appropriate authorities, and I regret to inform you that there is no meaningful development deserving of any consideration,” the statement read. The union described the government’s silence as a clear indication of disregard for the nation’s higher education system and the welfare of its workforce.
Dr. Piwuna lamented that the protracted negotiation process has subjected university lecturers to untold hardship and institutional decay. He stated that ASUU’s core demand is not merely about wages but about safeguarding the future of public universities in Nigeria. “The goal of our current action remains principally to compel the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement document, amongst other demands,” he explained. He added that the union’s persistent struggles are aimed at ensuring quality, stability, and global competitiveness for Nigeria’s higher education system.
ASUU expressed disappointment that the government continues to trivialize the renegotiated agreement, which covers crucial issues such as improved funding for universities, better staff welfare, academic autonomy, and the revitalization of the decaying infrastructure across tertiary institutions. The union emphasized that these demands are legitimate and achievable if the government demonstrates the required political will and commitment to education as a national priority.
The leadership of the union urged all members to remain united and fully mobilized as the 14-day ultimatum progresses. Dr. Piwuna encouraged members to avoid internal divisions and misinformation, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and coordination. “We are strong when we organize, but weakened when we agonize. Our union has always acted in solidarity as a collective; this action will not be different,” he declared.
He also reminded members that instructions should only come from their respective Branch Chairpersons, Zonal Coordinators, and through official congress meetings. The union warned members against falling for distractions or unofficial directives, stressing that every ASUU member must remain disciplined, focused, and guided by the union’s constitution and leadership structure.
The bulletin titled Strike Bulletin No. 1 further warned that the impending warning strike would be unavoidable if the government fails to act responsibly. It added that the union’s patience has been stretched to its limits and that this latest ultimatum represents ASUU’s final attempt to engage the government through dialogue. The union maintained that it has exhausted all diplomatic avenues and that industrial action is now the only viable tool to compel government accountability.
ASUU also drew attention to the worsening Japa syndrome, where Nigerian academics are migrating abroad in search of better working conditions and pay. The union argued that without immediate intervention, Nigerian universities would continue to lose their best brains, thereby crippling research capacity and innovation. “The struggle to improve our welfare is not self-serving,” ASUU said, “it is a fight to stop the brain drain and to reposition the Nigeria University System for global competitiveness.”
In addition, ASUU criticized the government’s poor funding allocation to education, describing it as a national tragedy. The union lamented that most universities operate with outdated laboratories, poorly equipped libraries, and inadequate learning facilities. It maintained that a nation that fails to invest in education is planning for its own underdevelopment. ASUU, therefore, called for increased investment in higher education as a means of national transformation and economic sustainability.
The union further clarified that its planned action is not aimed at punishing students or parents but at compelling the government to take education seriously. It urged the Nigerian public to understand that the strike, if it occurs, will be for the long-term benefit of the country’s university system. “We must act now to prevent total collapse,” the union appealed, assuring Nigerians that its struggles are ultimately in the interest of quality education for all.
ASUU expressed solidarity with other unions in the education sector, including the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), which are also aggrieved over similar issues of poor welfare and neglect. It called for a united front among all unions in the sector to ensure that government commitments are enforced and that workers’ rights are respected.
The union also called on the Nigerian media to play a constructive role in educating the public about the issues at stake. It appreciated journalists and civil society organizations that have stood by the union in its pursuit of better educational standards. ASUU condemned attempts by certain quarters to misrepresent its struggle, urging the press to remain factual, balanced, and committed to the truth.
In conclusion, Dr. Christopher Piwuna reaffirmed ASUU’s readiness for constructive dialogue but warned that the union will proceed with its two-week warning strike if the government fails to meet its demands at the end of the ultimatum. “United we bargain, divided we beg. Solidarity forever,” he declared. The bulletin ended with a rallying call to all ASUU members nationwide to remain vigilant and steadfast in the struggle to restore dignity, quality, and fairness in Nigeria’s university system.
