The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently address a raft of unresolved issues, warning that failure to comply will lead to another disruptive nationwide strike.
The decision was reached during the Union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja.
In a notice personally signed by ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, the Union expressed deep frustration over what it described as the “neglect of the University system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.”
The Ultimatum and The Threat
The notice explicitly states the Union’s timeline for action: “If at the end of the fourteen-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the Union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.”
This move effectively sets the clock ticking, placing the Federal Government under intense pressure to engage constructively with the Union before the deadline expires.
Lingering Demands
ASUU’s demands center on core issues that have been the subject of contention for years, often leading to prolonged industrial actions that cripple the academic calendar. The key demands include:
Renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement: A demand for the conclusion and implementation of the renegotiated FGN/ASUU Agreement.
Adequate Revitalization Funds: The release of funds necessary for the sustained revitalization of public universities.
Settlement of Outstanding Salary Arrears: Payment of all outstanding entitlements, including the three-and-a-half months’ salaries withheld following the 2022 strike and other earned allowances.
Sustainable Funding Mechanisms: Establishing transparent and reliable methods for financing the university system.
Withholding of Salaries: Addressing the issue of unpaid salaries for staff on various appointments (sabbatical, part-time, adjunct) affected by the government’s payment platforms.
Government’s Position
The ultimatum comes despite recent moves by the Federal Ministry of Education to set up a committee, headed by the permanent secretary, Abel Enitan, tasked with reviewing proposals for ASUU in a bid to ensure stability in the tertiary education sector.
However, ASUU has consistently accused the government of using bureaucratic bottlenecks and delay tactics, arguing that these actions exacerbate the crisis in the public university system.
Sources familiar with the negotiations indicate that while the government has repeatedly promised a sustainable solution to the long-running dispute, concrete actions have been slow, fuelling the latest threat of industrial disharmony.
The coming days will be critical for students, parents, and the Federal Government as the nation braces for the potential disruption of academic activities across all public university campuses.
