Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Begins Two-Week Warning Strike Over Unresolved Demands
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced a two-week warning strike starting Monday, October 13, 2025, to push the Federal Government to meet its long-standing demands.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, made this known on Sunday during a press conference in Abuja. He directed all ASUU members across universities to stop work from midnight on Monday.
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The decision follows the expiration of a two-week ultimatum given to the government to address their concerns. Piwuna explained that the government’s response during their last meeting on Friday was unsatisfactory and did not address any major issue raised by the union.
He said: “It goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on ground to stop the implementation of ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the 14 days notice given on 28th September, 2025,”
“Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight (12.01a.m.) on Monday, 13th October, 2025. The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting,” Piwuna continued.
ASUU’s major demands include:
- Review and implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement
- Increased funding and revitalization of public universities
- An end to the victimization of ASUU members at LASU, Kogi State University, and FUTO
- Payment of allowances and promotion arrears
Despite appeals from the Federal Government, the strike will go ahead. The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, had earlier urged ASUU to suspend the planned action, saying the government is working to resolve the issues that have lasted over 15 years.
Alausa noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had instructed that the strike be avoided to keep students in school. He assured that the government is taking steps to meet ASUU’s demands in a fair and lasting way.
The Minister also mentioned that:
- The government recently released ₦50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances.
- Another ₦150 billion was allocated in the 2025 budget to revitalize universities.
- Promotion arrears will be included in the 2026 budget.
Despite these efforts, ASUU insists the government has not done enough, leading to the commencement of the two-week warning strike.
