ASUU Declares Two-Week Nationwide Strike, Begins Monday

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a two-week nationwide strike, directing its members across all public universities in Nigeria to withdraw their services effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025.

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, made the announcement during a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, citing the Federal Government’s failure to meet the union’s long-standing demands despite the expiration of a two-week ultimatum earlier issued to resolve the impasse.

Prof. Piwuna lamented that the government’s response since the ultimatum was issued had been marked by delays and unfulfilled promises. “The government has repeatedly asked for time, yet nothing concrete has been done to resolve our concerns,” he said.

He explained that the decision to embark on the strike followed several unproductive meetings between the union and government representatives, noting that ASUU had exhausted all avenues for dialogue before resorting to industrial action.

“Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight, Monday, October 13, 2025. The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive, as resolved at the last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting,” the ASUU president stated.

Prof. Piwuna urged Nigerians, civil society groups, and the media to intervene and prevail on the Federal Government to take decisive steps toward resolving the lingering issues. He warned that if meaningful progress is not made within the two-week window, the union may extend the strike indefinitely.

“This struggle is not just for university lecturers; it is for the survival and integrity of public education in Nigeria,” he added.

ASUU’s seven-point demand includes the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, adequate funding for university revitalisation, an end to the victimisation of ASUU members at LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and FUTO, as well as the payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears, four years of promotion arrears, and pending third-party deductions.

The declaration marks the 18th industrial action embarked upon by ASUU in the past 26 years, as the union continues to push for reforms aimed at improving the quality and sustainability of Nigeria’s public university system.