ASUU Threatens Strike, Announces Nationwide Rallies

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced plans to hold nationwide rallies across public universities next week, warning that a full-blown strike may follow if the federal government fails to meet its long-standing demands.

In a statement on Thursday, ASUU President Christopher Piwuna said the rallies would serve as a warning to the government, which has until 28 August to address the issues before the union decides its next line of action.

The statement followed the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, on 16–17 August.

Union’s Grievances

ASUU accused the government of failing to renegotiate the 2009 agreement signed with the union, despite repeated reminders and letters.

“As always, it is the federal government that has pushed our union toward industrial action. It is becoming clear that ASUU may have no option but to strike to compel the government to act,” the statement read.

The union said members should turn out in large numbers for the rallies, stressing that the demonstration is “the first shot” in what could be a series of actions if the government does not respond.

Stalled Renegotiation

The union also criticized the government for delaying the implementation of the draft renegotiated 2009 agreement, submitted in February by the Yayale Ahmed-led committee. According to ASUU, the government only convened a meeting on the matter on 11 August, after months of inaction.

ASUU further accused the government of undermining the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) principles embedded in the draft.

Tinubu Administration and Outstanding Issues

While President Bola Tinubu’s administration has so far avoided a nationwide ASUU strike since taking office, the union said the government is now repeating the failures of previous administrations by stalling renegotiations and ignoring other demands.

Among the unresolved issues is the payment of three and a half months’ withheld salaries from 2022, when the government invoked a “No Work, No Pay” policy during ASUU’s eight-month strike. Although Tinubu approved payment of four months’ salaries in 2024, the union insists that members must be fully paid.

Renegotiation of the 2009 agreement has been stalled since 2017, with successive draft agreements ignored by the former Muhammadu Buhari administration.

ASUU warned that if urgent action is not taken, Nigerian public universities could again face widespread disruptions that would destabilize academic calendars and compound existing challenges in the education system.