The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced mobilisation of its members across universities nationwide in preparation for a possible nationwide warning strike.
This development comes just a week before the expiration of the union’s 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government on September 28, 2025.
In a circular signed by its President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, and dated October 5, 2025, ASUU expressed deep disappointment over what it described as the Federal Government’s “continued silence and lack of commitment” toward resolving long-standing issues affecting the nation’s university system.
According to the circular, addressed to all ASUU members, the National Executive Council (NEC) held an emergency meeting on September 29, 2025, to review the outcome of a referendum conducted across its branches. Following the review, the union resolved to issue a 14-day ultimatum to the government to compel the signing and implementation of the renegotiated agreement submitted to the government since February 2025.
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Prof. Piwuna lamented that, despite formally communicating the resolutions to the Ministers of Labour and Education and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), there had been “no meaningful response or progress” from the government.
“I regret to inform you that there is no meaningful development deserving of any consideration to be reported,” the ASUU President stated.
He explained that the current mobilisation effort was aimed at compelling the government to honour its commitments, particularly the signing and implementation of the renegotiated agreement, alongside other long-standing demands that have plagued the university sector for years.
As the ultimatum enters its final week, Prof. Piwuna commended ASUU members for their patience and resilience throughout what he described as a “tortuous and unjustifiably prolonged” negotiation process spanning over eight years.
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He urged members across campuses to intensify mobilisation efforts to ensure unity and preparedness for the union’s next line of action, stressing that collective strength remains ASUU’s most powerful tool in the ongoing struggle to revitalise the Nigerian university system.
“The days ahead call for mobilisation of every member of our union to ensure unity of purpose. No one should be left out of the struggle to defend our welfare, stem the Japa syndrome, and reposition the Nigerian University System for global competitiveness,” the circular read.
ASUU further instructed its members to take directives only from their branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators and to attend congress meetings regularly for updates on further developments.
If the government fails to respond before the ultimatum expires, observers say the union may embark on another round of industrial action — a move that could disrupt academic activities across public universities nationwide.
