CONUA distances self from ongoing ASUU strike, urges members to continue work

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has clarified that it is not participating in the ongoing nationwide strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

ASUU had on October 13 announced a two-week warning strike over the federal government’s failure to meet its long-standing demands. The ministry of education, however, accused ASUU of being uncooperative despite ongoing negotiations and warned that the “no work, no pay” policy would be enforced.

In a statement, CONUA’s president, Niyi Sunmonu, dismissed reports linking the union to the industrial action, stressing that CONUA remains committed to academic stability through peaceful dialogue with the government and other stakeholders.

“It is important to emphasize that CONUA has no basis at this time to declare a dispute or embark on any strike action,” Sunmonu said. He urged members to continue their academic and administrative duties as usual.

The union recalled that it had earlier protested its exclusion from the committee renegotiating the 2009 agreement between university staff and the federal government. The issue was later resolved after a meeting with the minister of education on September 11, 2025, leading to CONUA’s inclusion in the committee.

According to Sunmonu, nationwide congresses held between September 18 and 24 reaffirmed the union’s commitment to dialogue rather than disruption, insisting that strikes are not a sustainable solution.

He called on university vice-chancellors to ensure the safety of CONUA members performing their duties and urged students to remain focused on their studies without fear of interruption.

Formed in 2018 as a breakaway faction from ASUU, CONUA has consistently opposed the use of strikes as a negotiation tool in the Nigerian university system.