Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are set to begin a two-week warning strike on Monday following the expiration of a two-week ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to meet their long-standing demands.
As of Sunday night, the Federal Government had not made any official statement on the looming industrial action, despite ongoing negotiations aimed at preventing another disruption in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
Earlier in the week, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa said in Abuja that the government was in the final phase of talks with ASUU and other university unions over welfare, funding, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
Alausa stated that the Tinubu administration had released ₦50 billion for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances and included ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be disbursed in three tranches. He noted that promotion arrears and other outstanding allowances, including teaching and wage awards, had been addressed, with remaining obligations to be settled by 2026.
“They deserve to be paid well, and our academic and non-academic staff deserve improved welfare,” Alausa said. “But we can’t give everything at once. What matters is our sincerity and commitment to substantial improvements in their conditions.”
He urged the unions to remain patient and continue dialogue, assuring that the government was committed to lasting peace in the education sector. Alausa also disclosed that, for the first time, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Ministry of Justice officials were part of the negotiations to ensure that agreements reached would be legally enforceable.
However, ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna criticised the Ministry of Education for delaying action on critical issues. “Their ultimatum expires on Sunday, and after that, there will be a warning strike unless something substantial comes out from the government,” he said. “We expect to receive something from the government within 48 hours.”
Reports from several federal universities, including the University of Jos, Ahmadu Bello University, and the University of Abuja, confirmed that preparations for the strike were already underway. At the University of Jos, ASUU leaders reportedly met with other union representatives to mobilize support.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, declined to comment on the matter.
