By Aisha Muhammad Magaji
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria, demanding immediate action on longstanding issues affecting public universities. The union warned that failure to meet their demands would trigger a nationwide strike, disrupting academic activities across the country.
The ultimatum was announced following ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja. Prof. Chris Piwuna, ASUU National President, expressed frustration over the federal government’s continued delays in addressing critical agreements and funding commitments.
“These issues are not new; they have been pending for years, yet our students and members continue to suffer,” Prof. Piwuna said. “We are giving the government 14 days to act, failing which we will be left with no choice but to escalate to industrial action.”
ASUU’s seven-point agenda includes:
- Renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement
- Sustainable funding for public universities
- Revitalization of university infrastructure
- End to alleged victimization of union members at institutions such as Lagos State University (LASU), Prince Abubakar Audu University (KSU), and Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)
- Payment of outstanding salary arrears of 25–35%
- Settlement of promotion arrears spanning over four years
- Remittance of outstanding third-party deductions
Despite multiple negotiations and committees set up to address these issues, ASUU claims progress has been minimal, prompting the current ultimatum.
The Federal Ministry of Education has previously set up a committee, chaired by Permanent Secretary Abel Enitan, to examine ASUU’s proposals and recommend solutions. However, no public report has yet been released, contributing to the union’s frustration.
A nationwide ASUU strike would disrupt academic calendars, affecting thousands of students and faculty members in public universities. Experts warn that extended industrial action could impact students’ career progression and the broader economy, given the reliance on university-trained graduates for key sectors.
ASUU’s 14-day deadline signals a critical window for the federal government to act. Stakeholders, including students, parents, and university staff, are closely monitoring developments, hoping for a timely resolution to avoid further disruption to education in Nigeria.
