ASUU Suspends Two-Week Warning Strike, Gives FG One-Month Ultimatum

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its two-week warning strike following renewed negotiations with the Federal Government.

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, announced the suspension during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, noting that the decision was reached after an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) held from October 21 to 22.

Piwuna said that although the objectives of the warning strike had not been fully achieved, meaningful progress had been made in talks with the government’s negotiation team.

“The emergency NEC meeting resolved that the warning strike is hereby suspended with effect from midnight, Wednesday, October 22, 2025,” he stated. “However, should the government fail to resolve all pending issues within one month, ASUU reserves the right to resume strike action without further notice.”

He explained that the union held meetings with the Federal Government’s committee, led by Yayale Ahmed, on October 16 and 18 to review the government’s response to the draft renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement. A follow-up meeting, he said, has been scheduled to continue deliberations.

ASUU also acknowledged the intervention of the Senate Committees on Tertiary Education, TETFund, and Labour, as well as the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, describing their involvement as a positive step toward resolving the long-standing dispute.

Piwuna expressed appreciation to students, parents, and Nigerians for their patience and support during the industrial action, stressing that the decision to suspend the strike was made out of respect for them.

He, however, warned that if the government fails to conclude negotiations within the agreed one-month window, the union would have no choice but to resume the strike.