ASUU begins warning strike next week if – (See heart of the matter)
Khalid ABRAHAM
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Universities in Nigeria may be plunged into paralysis again as the 14-day ultimatum issued to the federal government by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) enters the final stretch.
The union gave the notice of strike last week Sunday threatening its members nationwide might be forced to embark on industrial action if the President Bola Tinubu-led administration fails to meet its demands, which have spanned 16 years.
ogbomosoinsightonline.com reports branches recently held peaceful protests to press home these demands which border on improved funding of universities and staff welfare among others.
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However, these requests are not yet met, Dr. Olujimi Dada ASUU chairman Ladoke Akintola University of Technology LAUTECH Ogbomoso branch told Ogbomoso Insight Monday while affirming that strike might eventually be declared. “The strike will begin 12 midnight next Monday unless federal government takes concrete steps to address the issues which have been lingering for years,” Engr Dada said.
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Also in a bulletin dated October 5, tagged “Strike Bulletin No. 1,” signed by the national president of the union, Professor Christopher Piwuna, and addressed to all members, it was declared that at the expiration of the ultimatum, a two-week warning strike would immediately commence if government did not accede to their demands, disclosing this hard stance was reached sequel to the national consensus among members, ratified during an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) September 29.
“The National Executive Council (NEC) of our Union, at its emergency meeting of 29th September, 2025, having evaluated the results of the referendum held across our branches, resolved to give government a fourteen-day ultimatum to resolve the issues contained in the negotiated document which has been transmitted to government since February, 2025. It was further resolved that the union will proceed on a two-week warning strike at the expiration of the ultimatum if government fails to take acceptable and satisfactory steps to address the lingering issues.”
“The resolutions were immediately communicated to the Honourable Minister of Labour, the Honourable Minister of Education and the Nigeria Labour Congress. It is now one week since those resolutions were reached and communicated to the appropriate authorities. I regret to inform you that there is no meaningful development deserving of any consideration to be reported.”
Piwuna reiterated that ”The goal of our current action remains principally to compel Government to sign and implement the renegotiated Agreement document, amongst other demands.”
He urged the leadership across branches to begin intense mobilisation, insisting, “No one should be left out of the struggle to our welfare, stem the japa syndrome and reposition the Nigeria University System (NUS) for global competitiveness.”
Echoes from branches
Sixteen years of empty promises: When will government listen? – Comrade Gabriel Chy Alonta (Convener, ASUU-NAU Media)
Since 2009, the Federal Government of Nigeria has been locked in a cycle of broken promises with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Agreements have been signed and renegotiated, yet implementation remains elusive. Salaries remain withheld, arrears unpaid, and critical university revitalization funds unprovided.
It is disturbing that in 2025, Nigeria, a country blessed with abundant resources, still treats education with such disdain. Lecturers who dedicate their lives to shaping the future are victimized, underpaid, and demoralized. Students continue to learn under deplorable conditions while politicians send their children abroad for quality education.
ASUU’s 14-day ultimatum is a mirror to the conscience of the nation. If the government fails to act within this period, the Union will be left with no choice but to commence a two-week warning strike. The blame, however, will rest squarely on the government’s shoulders.
Education is not charity; it is an investment. And until Nigeria treats it as such, the nation’s dream for transformative development will remain a mirage.
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Graveyard silence over ASUU ultimatum – Stephen Oguji (Chairperson ASUU-IMSU)
A dangerous quietness is spreading—one that chokes the air and stifles urgency. Since ASUU issued its 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on 29th September, the expected clamor of concern has been swallowed by a graveyard silence. The ultimatum expires on 13th October, yet the media is mute, civil society is indifferent, religious leaders are looking away, student unions are asleep, and the public acts as if all is well. But all is not well.
We are standing on the brink of another nationwide shutdown of our tertiary institutions—lectures halted, exams suspended, admissions paused, convocations cancelled. And for what? For failure to sign a report authored by the FG’s own Yayale Ahmed committee. Is this not absurd?
If nothing changes before 13th October, a two-week warning strike will begin. That’s not a threat—it’s a promise born of repeated betrayal. Our silence now will be our regret tomorrow.
Let us break this silence before it buries our future. Let us write, speak, protest, share. This is not just ASUU’s fight—it is Nigeria’s future that stands on the edge of another blackout.
Speak now, or prepare to watch our classrooms go dark once again.
Everything you need to know about ASUU’s ultimatum and possible strike – Comrade Roseline Uzoamaka Paul (ASUU-NAU Media)
Q: Why is ASUU considering strike action?
A: Because government has failed to resolve long-standing issues such as unpaid salaries, underfunded universities, incomplete agreements, and lecturer victimization.
Q: Has dialogue taken place?
A: Yes. ASUU has engaged the government through rallies, meetings, and media appeals, but with little response.
Q: What’s the current step?
A: A 14-day ultimatum has been issued to the Federal Government.
Q: What happens if nothing changes?
A: A two-week warning strike will follow.
Q: How can the public help?
A: By demanding that the government take education seriously and fulfill its promises.
#ASUU #EducationMatters #SaveOurUniversities
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