The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a two-week nationwide warning strike starting from midnight, Monday, October 13, 2025.
The union said the action is total and comprehensive, blaming the Federal Government for failing to meet its long-standing promises on funding, staff welfare, and the 2009 ASUU–FG agreement.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the strike during a press briefing at the University of Abuja on Sunday. He explained that the move follows the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on September 28.
“There is nothing sufficient on ground to stop the implementation of ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike,” Piwuna said.
According to him, the warning strike is meant to give the government one last chance to act. He added that if no progress is made, the union may begin an indefinite strike.
“All branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services from midnight on Monday, October 13. The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive,”
he stated.
The strike will disrupt academic activities across Nigeria’s public universities, halting lectures, exams, and administrative work for at least two weeks.
Students and parents have expressed frustration, fearing yet another delay in the academic calendar. Many recall previous strikes that stretched semesters and prolonged graduation dates.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the Tinubu administration is already addressing the union’s demands. He noted that ₦50 billion has been released for Earned Academic Allowances, and another ₦150 billion has been budgeted for university needs. The funds, he said, will be released in three tranches.
ASUU, however, insists these steps are not enough. The union called the government’s approach “piecemeal” and demanded full implementation of all agreements.
The strike adds to Nigeria’s wider economic challenges and highlights ongoing problems in the education sector — including poor funding, decaying infrastructure, and policy inconsistency.
Observers warn that another prolonged shutdown could further weaken public trust in Nigeria’s university system, which has already suffered from repeated disruptions.
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