ASUU Issues 14-Day Ultimatum to FG Over Unmet Demands, Threatens Nationwide Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning of an imminent nationwide strike if long-standing issues in Nigeria’s public university system remain unresolved.

In a statement released after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja on Sunday, September 28, 2025, ASUU decried what it described as the government’s “persistent neglect” of public universities and the welfare of academic staff.

ASUU’s Warning and Next Steps

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, who signed the communiqué, recalled that the union had in August 2025 staged peaceful rallies across federal and state universities to draw attention to the deteriorating conditions in the sector. However, he lamented that the Federal Government had yet to respond meaningfully.

Prof. Piwuna warned that if urgent action is not taken within the two-week deadline, ASUU will first embark on a two-week warning strike, which could escalate into a total and indefinite shutdown of universities nationwide.

Key Demands of ASUU

The union outlined its major demands as follows:

• Renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement

• Sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities

• End to victimisation of members at LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO

• Payment of outstanding salary arrears (25–35%)

• Resolution of delayed promotion arrears spanning over four years

• Settlement of outstanding third-party deductions

Call for Intervention

While stressing that the issues raised were not new, Prof. Piwuna appealed to traditional rulers, opinion leaders, and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and urge the government to act swiftly.

He emphasized that the Federal Government has the financial capacity to resolve the challenges, adding that failing to do so would further cripple Nigeria’s education sector and jeopardize the future of millions of students.