ASUU Mobilizes Chapters for October 13 Warning Strike

ASUU Mobilises Chapters for October 13 Warning Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to initiate a two-week nationwide warning strike on Monday, October 13, 2025, unless there are any unexpected changes, to emphasise its demands to the Federal Government.

This information was shared in a memo labelled “Strike Bulletin One”, which was circulated to all branches and acquired by our correspondent on Monday in Abuja.

The impending strike is a result of a two-week ultimatum issued by the union last week, urging the federal government to address its outstanding issues, including the signing and execution of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

In the new memo distributed to branches, ASUU National President Prof. Chris Piwuna expressed disappointment at the government’s inability to provide any significant response to the union’s demands following the ultimatum.

“The National Executive Council of our union convened an emergency meeting on September 28, 2025, where we reviewed the results of the referendum conducted across branches and decided to give the government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve the matters outlined in the negotiated document submitted to the government since February 2025,” wrote Piwuna.

“It was also decided that if the government does not take acceptable and satisfactory steps to address the ongoing issues by the conclusion of the ultimatum, the union will proceed with the planned two-week warning strike.

“The resolutions were promptly communicated to the Honourable Minister of Labour, the Honourable Minister of Education, and the Nigeria Labour Congress. It has now been one week since these resolutions were reached and relayed to the relevant parties.

“I regret to inform you that we have seen no significant progress that merits any consideration to be reported.”

The ASUU president expressed gratitude to members for their patience during what he referred to as “a torturous negotiation” lasting over eight years, encouraging them to stay united and determined.

“As we enter the second and final week of the ultimatum, I extend my gratitude on behalf of the NEC for the patience and understanding shown since the beginning of this arduous negotiation that has, without justification, continued for more than eight years.

“Our primary objective with this action is to compel the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement document, among other demands.

“In the coming days, we must mobilise every member of our union to ensure we are united in our purpose. Everyone must be involved in the fight for our welfare, to address the exodus of skilled personnel, and to enhance the competitiveness of the Nigerian university system on a global scale.

“We gain strength through organisation, but we weaken ourselves through despair! Our union has consistently worked in solidarity as a collective, and this action will be no different.”

Piwuna urged members to follow directives strictly from their branch chairpersons, emphasising the importance of adhering to union protocols.

“Members should follow instructions solely from their chairpersons. If uncertain, members ought to consult their chairpersons or zonal coordinators and consistently attend congress meetings for updates on any new information,” he stated.

When reached for comment, the Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, mentioned that updates regarding the government’s response would be shared “when they become available”.

The union’s action comes after the National Executive Council meeting that took place on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja.

In a communiqué released after the meeting, ASUU outlined various unresolved matters that have been discussed for several months. These issues include the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, ensuring sustainable funding for the revitalisation of universities, and addressing the mistreatment of lecturers in certain federal universities.

Additional demands include the payment of overdue salary arrears totalling 25–35 per cent, resolving promotion arrears that have persisted for more than four years, and addressing issues related to third-party deductions.

“ASUU, as a union, is convinced that the government has the capacity to prevent this impending strike,” the communiqué declared.

In a related development, the National Association of Academic Technologists issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on Monday regarding the non-implementation of vital resolutions agreed upon with the union.

In a communiqué released following its National Executive Council meeting on October 4, 2025, at the Federal University, Lafia, the union expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Education, headed by Dr. Tunji Alausa, for failing to hold meetings and address persistent issues affecting its members.

The communiqué, signed by NAAT’s National President, Ibeji Nwokoma, indicated that the NEC assessed the progress made since the conciliation meeting led by the Minister of Labour and Employment on July 30, 2025, where a Memorandum of Understanding was established, as well as another meeting conducted by the Minister of Education on September 11, 2025.

“The contentious issues include the incomplete renegotiation of the FGN/NAAT 2009 Agreement, which aims to review existing salaries, allowances, and other terms of employment in the Nigerian university system. Only the first meeting occurred between the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation committee and NAAT on December 10, 2024. It is therefore concerning to learn that a report has been submitted to the Federal Government without adequate consultation with the union,” the communiqué stated.

It went on to express the union’s concern regarding the failure to incorporate earned allowances into the salaries of academic technologists to avoid further accumulation of arrears, the lack of release of the enabling circular for CONTISS 14 and 15 to enable members to reach the peak of their careers, and the recent delays in monthly salary payments, which have caused significant hardship for members in light of current economic conditions.

“Given the above circumstances, the union hereby issues a 14-day ultimatum to the government to address these demands. While NAAT remains open to discussions, a failure to act within the specified period will leave the union with no choice but to initiate industrial action to assert its demands,” the statement concluded.

Previously, NAAT called for the inclusion of members’ allowances, the disbursement of N50 billion to settle outstanding earned allowances, and the completion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement. The union also urged the implementation of the consequential adjustment of the new national minimum wage, payment of three and a half months of withheld salaries, release of third-party deductions from the two months of recently paid salaries, and settlement of seven and eleven months of arrears about occupational hazard and responsibility allowances, respectively.