As the two-week warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) enters its fifth day, the union has presented its case before the Nigerian Senate, reiterating its demands for improved funding of public universities across the country. The union emphasized that adequate funding is essential to strengthen research capacity, enhance infrastructural development, and ensure fair remuneration for academic staff, which it described as “the least competitive across Africa.”
The ongoing strike, which began on Monday, October 13, 2025, has drawn nationwide attention, particularly as it coincides with several ongoing reforms in the education sector. ASUU has maintained that the action was necessary to call attention to what it termed the federal government’s “neglect and policy inconsistency” toward public university administration and staff welfare.
At the center of the current dispute is an allegation that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) plans to acquire part of the land belonging to the University of Abuja. ASUU described the move as a “threat to institutional autonomy and public trust,” insisting that the land must remain under the full control of the university for future expansion and academic development.
The union also raised objections to a recent policy decision by the Federal Ministry of Education to distribute part of the ₦50 billion fund originally allocated to federal universities among polytechnics and colleges of education. According to ASUU, this decision undermines the unique financial and operational demands of universities and could jeopardize research and teaching quality.
Speaking at the meeting with the Senate Committee on Education, ASUU leaders expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving ₦150 billion in additional funding for public universities earlier this year. However, they insisted that the implementation process must be transparent and strictly channeled toward revitalizing key academic facilities, laboratories, and libraries.
The union also commended the President’s directive imposing a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. ASUU stated that the measure was “long overdue,” as the proliferation of underfunded institutions has diluted the quality of higher education and strained limited federal resources.
During the deliberations, ASUU leadership underscored that without substantial reforms, Nigerian universities would continue to lag behind their counterparts across Africa in both research productivity and staff motivation. They stressed that poor remuneration remains one of the main reasons for the persistent brain drain within the Nigerian academic system.
Members of the Senate Committee acknowledged the union’s concerns and assured them of ongoing efforts to resolve the impasse. Lawmakers noted that the Senate would continue to mediate between ASUU and the Federal Government to prevent a total shutdown of academic activities across campuses.
In his remarks, a senior member of the Committee expressed optimism that both sides could reach a common understanding, emphasizing that “education should never become the casualty of administrative disagreements.” He further noted that the legislature was prepared to facilitate roundtable discussions with the Ministry of Education and the FCT authorities to address the land ownership issue.
The lawmakers appealed to ASUU to consider suspending the warning strike while negotiations continue, noting that prolonged disruptions could have negative effects on students, academic calendars, and university operations. They urged both parties to prioritize the national interest and commit to resolving all outstanding matters amicably.
ASUU, however, maintained that while it remained open to dialogue, it would not compromise on issues affecting the integrity and sustainability of Nigerian public universities. The union emphasized that industrial action was always a last resort, but it had become unavoidable given the persistent neglect of previous agreements.
The Senate meeting is expected to continue into next week as both parties fine-tune details of possible resolutions. Meanwhile, universities nationwide remain partially grounded, with many academic activities suspended pending further directives from ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC).
Students across several campuses have expressed concerns over the continued strike, urging the government and ASUU to expedite dialogue to prevent a repeat of past prolonged closures that disrupted academic progress for months.
