ASUU issues 14-Day ultimatum to FG, threatens fresh strike over unresolved demands

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to address lingering issues affecting Nigeria’s public universities or face a fresh round of industrial action.

In a statement issued after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the University of Abuja on Sunday, September 28, 2025, ASUU expressed dismay at what it described as government’s continued neglect of the university system and the welfare of academic staff.

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, who signed the statement, recalled that the union had staged rallies in August across federal and state universities to draw attention to the worsening conditions in the sector. He lamented that the move failed to yield any serious response from the authorities.

The union warned that if the government does not meet its demands within the ultimatum, it would begin with a two-week warning strike before embarking on a total and indefinite shutdown of universities nationwide.

ASUU’s demands include the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities, and an end to the alleged victimisation of its members at LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO. Others are the payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, resolution of delayed promotion arrears spanning over four years, and settlement of unpaid third-party deductions.

Prof. Piwuna stressed that the issues were not new, adding that ASUU had consistently engaged the government in search of solutions.