ASUU Plans Two-Week Nationwide Warning Strike Starting October 13, 2025
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to commence a two-week warning strike nationwide beginning Monday, October 13, 2025, pending any last-minute developments. This announcement was made through a memo titled “Strike Bulletin One,” which was circulated to all branch offices and obtained in Abuja.
The strike follows a two-week ultimatum issued last week, urging the Federal Government to address critical unresolved issues, including the signing and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
In the recent memo, ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, expressed disappointment over the government’s lack of meaningful response despite the ultimatum.
“The National Executive Council of our union, in an emergency meeting on September 28, 2025, evaluated the results of a referendum held across branches and resolved to give the government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve the issues contained in the negotiated document sent to the government since February 2025,” Piwuna stated.
He added, “If the government fails to take acceptable and satisfactory steps within this period, the union will proceed with a two-week warning strike at the expiration of the ultimatum.”
The union’s leadership communicated these resolutions to key government officials, including the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Education, and the Nigeria Labour Congress. However, Piwuna lamented that “there has been no meaningful development deserving of consideration.”
He thanked members for their patience during what he described as “a tortuous negotiation” that has dragged on for over eight years. He emphasized that the primary goal of the strike is to compel the government to sign and implement the renegotiated 2009 agreement, along with other demands.
Piwuna called for unity and active mobilization among members, urging them to remain resolute in the struggle for improved welfare, to curb the “Japa syndrome,” and to reposition Nigerian universities for global competitiveness. He reiterated that the union’s strength lies in organization and solidarity, and instructed members to follow directives exclusively from their branch chairpersons, urging strict adherence to union channels.
When contacted, the Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, stated that updates on the government’s response would be provided “when available.”
The decision for the strike was made following the National Executive Council meeting held on September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja. The union listed unresolved issues including the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, sustainable funding for university revitalization, victimization of lecturers, outstanding salary arrears of 25-35%, promotion arrears dating back over four years, and third-party deduction issues.
ASUU believes the government has the capacity to prevent the strike and hopes for an amicable resolution.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government over non-implementation of key resolutions. Following their NEC meeting on October 4, 2025, at the Federal University, Lafia, NAAT expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Education’s lack of action and called for urgent intervention.
NAAT’s National President, Ibeji Nwokoma, highlighted issues such as incomplete renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, non-mainstreaming of earned allowances, delays in salary payments, and the need for circulars to enable career progression. The union warned that failure to address these demands within the stipulated period could lead to industrial action.
NAAT has also demanded the mainstreaming of allowances, release of funds to settle arrears, completion of the renegotiation, and payment of owed salaries and allowances, amid ongoing economic hardships.
