ASUU Suspends Two-Week Warning Strike, Gives Federal Government One Month Ultimatum
ASUU Suspends Two-Week Warning Strike, Gives Federal Government One Month Ultimatum
ASUU Suspends Two-Week Warning Strike, Gives Federal Government One Month Ultimatum
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced the suspension of its two-week warning strike, giving the Federal Government of Nigeria a one-month ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands or face a full-blown, indefinite strike. The decision followed an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
According to a statement signed by ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the union resolved to temporarily call off the strike to allow room for dialogue and give the government time to fulfill promises made in previous agreements. However, he warned that the suspension was only conditional and that lecturers across Nigeria’s public universities would resume industrial action if the government fails to act within the next 30 days.
ASUU had embarked on a two-week warning strike earlier this month to protest what it described as the federal government’s failure to implement key components of the 2020 Memorandum of Action (MoA). The issues in contention include unpaid earned academic allowances, poor funding of universities, withheld salaries, and the government’s continued use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) instead of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) proposed by ASUU.
The union also expressed frustration over the government’s delay in completing renegotiations of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, which outlines conditions of service, improved funding, and autonomy for universities.
Prof. Osodeke, addressing journalists after the meeting, said ASUU suspended the strike in good faith but would not hesitate to resume if the federal government fails to show genuine commitment.
“We have decided to suspend our two-week warning strike to give the federal government one month to implement our demands. This decision was taken after careful consideration of the plight of students and parents. However, let it be clear that this is not a sign of weakness. If the government continues to play games with education, we shall embark on a total, indefinite strike,” he warned.
He accused the federal government of treating the education sector with neglect while spending lavishly on political appointments and luxury.
“Nigeria cannot develop if we continue to underfund education. Our universities are struggling with decaying infrastructure, poor research support, and underpaid staff. It is time for the government to prioritize education as the foundation of national progress,” Osodeke added.
In reaction, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, commended ASUU for suspending the warning strike and assured that the federal government remains committed to addressing the union’s concerns. Speaking through his media aide, Mamman said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has already begun reviewing the implementation timeline for the MoA and will engage ASUU leadership in further negotiations within the coming weeks.
“We appreciate ASUU’s decision to give peace a chance. The federal government recognizes the importance of university education and is working to ensure a sustainable and long-term solution to the recurring issues,” the statement read.
However, sources within the ministry hinted that the government may need additional budgetary adjustments to meet some of ASUU’s financial demands, including allowances and revitalization funds for universities.
Students across the country have expressed mixed reactions to the suspension of the strike. While many welcomed the return to academic activities, others voiced skepticism about the government’s sincerity.
“It’s good that the strike is suspended, but this has happened before government promises and then breaks them. We just hope ASUU won’t shut down schools again after one month,” she said.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also appealed to the government to act swiftly to avoid further disruptions, stating that repeated strikes have crippled the academic calendar and increased unemployment among graduates.
Education analysts and civil society groups have commended ASUU for adopting a measured approach, urging the government to seize the opportunity to resolve the longstanding crisis once and for all.
Dr. Kabiru Yusuf, a public affairs analyst, said the union’s ultimatum is a reminder of Nigeria’s deep-rooted education challenges.
“This one-month window is a test of leadership. If the government continues to ignore the issues, it will only deepen public mistrust and push the education sector further into decline,” he noted.
With universities set to reopen immediately, ASUU has directed all chapters to monitor the federal government’s response and report compliance with the union’s demands. Meanwhile, many are watching closely to see whether the federal government will honor its commitments or allow another cycle of industrial unrest to return.
The next few weeks are crucial for Nigeria’s higher education system, as both parties face pressure from the public to find a lasting solution. For millions of Nigerian students and lecturers, the hope remains that this temporary truce will mark the beginning of genuine reform not another pause before the next disruption.
