ASUU May Consider Strike After Fresh Talks With FG

The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Christopher Piwuna, has said that the union is having an important two-day meeting with the Federal Government. He emphasized that the discussions will determine whether lecturers will resume their suspended industrial action.

Speaking to reporters during the 2025 Harmattan School organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress, Piwuna confirmed that ASUU remains committed to protecting the education sector.

“Our dedication to putting education first in Nigeria is strong. We will keep defending this sector, no matter the pressures,” declared the ASUU President.

He criticized the Federal Ministry of Education for often claiming that most of the union’s requests have been met, noting that government representatives have subtly changed their wording.

He stated, “We have always been upset with the Federal Ministry of Education when they say they have met all our demands. However, I’ve noticed their wording is changing a bit now.

“They are now saying almost all the demands have been met. Yet, it is obvious that there are still issues, especially regarding our 2009 agreement, which is why we are meeting this afternoon (Monday).”

Piwuna clarified that the union did not announce a strike for Friday but made it clear that the results of the ongoing talks with the federal government would affect their next actions.

He noted, “No branch or zone has said that a strike will start on Friday. They were talking about the deadline of the ultimatum we gave to the government.

“If this meeting had happened last week and failed, then the situation on Friday would have been clear to Nigerians. But, since the meeting is taking place today (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday), we hope to update our members before the weekend.

“If today’s (Monday) and tomorrow’s (Tuesday) meeting does not succeed, we will inform our members of the failure, and they will guide us on the next steps, which we will follow closely.

“Our resolve is as strong as it has been with our previous leaders, and it remains so today. We will continue to fight for education in Nigeria.”

The ASUU leader also raised a new concern about what he calls a dual threat to Nigeria’s education system: one from armed criminal activities and the other from the failures and inaction of political leaders.

Piwuna drew a clear comparison between the insecurity affecting schools and the policy failures that he believes are putting the future of higher education at risk.