ASUU suspends two-week warning strike, gives government one month to its address demands.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended the two-week warning strike that started on October 13, 2025. The strike was meant to end next Monday but was called off earlier after new promises from the Federal Government and the National Assembly to address the union’s demands.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the suspension at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday. He explained that the decision followed recent meetings and discussions with the Yayale Ahmed-led committee and the Deputy Senate President.
ASUU urged the government to use the one-month suspension period to meet its key demands. These include the review of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and release of funds for university revitalisation, among other issues.
The union also warned that it would resume the strike without notice if the government fails to take concrete action within the next one month.
Background of the Strike
On October 12, ASUU declared a two-week “total and comprehensive” strike after a 14-day ultimatum given to the government expired on September 28.
The union said it decided to go on strike because the Federal Government had not addressed key issues such as staff welfare, infrastructure development, implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, and payment of salary arrears.
Government’s Response: “No Work, No Pay” Policy
After ASUU announced the strike, the Federal Government criticized the action, saying it was already working on the union’s demands.It then directed universities to apply the “No Work, No Pay” rule during the strike.
“In line with extant provisions of labour laws, the Federal Government reiterates its position on the enforcement of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy in respect of any employee who fails to discharge his or her official duties during the period of strike action,” the Ministry of Education said in a circular.
The ministry also told vice-chancellors to take attendance and conduct physical headcounts of lecturers, submitting reports on those who were present at work.
Senate Intervention
Last week, the Senate intervened in the dispute between ASUU and the Federal Government.It expressed worry over the government’s failure to meet ASUU’s demands and described the situation as unacceptable.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Aliyu Dandutse, said after a closed-door meeting with ASUU leaders that the Senate would start a new negotiation process. This process will involve ASUU, the Ministry of Education, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
To also resolve the issue concerning the University of Abuja land, the committee confirmed that the Senate would engage with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to reach a peaceful settlement.
