Strike: ASUU Gives FG 10-Day Ultimatum to Meet Demands

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Federal Government to use the remaining 10 days of the one-month window granted to it to fully resolve outstanding issues between the parties.

This directive emerged from ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting held at Taraba State University, Jalingo, on November 8–9, as highlighted in a statement issued on Wednesday by the union’s President, Prof. Chris Piwuna.

The union said the warning became necessary after some government officials were accused of undermining negotiations through statements that misrepresented the government’s offers and the status of agreement implementation.

ASUU had suspended its two-week warning strike on October 22, giving the Federal Government a one-month period to meet its demands, which expires on November 22. The demands include the review of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and release of the university revitalisation fund. The union warned that it would resume industrial action without further notice if no meaningful steps are taken within the period.

In the statement, ASUU called on the government to adopt comprehensive measures to improve the living and working conditions of Nigerian academics. The union noted that the way government actions and proposals have been presented so far shows insincerity and misrepresents the true status of negotiations.

The statement said, “ASUU NEC regrets that government officials are undermining the negotiation process by misrepresenting offers and implementation of agreements. Partial payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2017, or the release of third-party deductions, are at best confidence-boosting measures and cannot be framed as the core issues of the negotiations. The way government presents its implementation does not reflect reality and signals risks to the renegotiation process. The remaining days of the one-month window must be used effectively to achieve a holistic resolution, especially to improve academics’ living conditions.”

While acknowledging progress in some non-monetary aspects of the negotiations, ASUU maintained that salary and conditions of service require a more comprehensive approach. The union also rejected the government’s proposed salary offer, describing it as grossly inadequate.

“Members of NEC observed with concern the government’s failure to prioritise education, treating it as a commercial good rather than a social good essential for national development,” the statement read. “The proposed salary increment is insufficient to address the ongoing brain drain and longstanding challenges in university education.”

ASUU also disputed the government’s claim of insufficient funds, arguing that the real issue is a lack of political will. The union cited revenue data showing a substantial increase in both federal and state government receipts in recent years, noting that political will, not finances, has hindered the resolution of negotiations.

The union appealed to traditional rulers, opinion leaders, students, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and civil society groups to continue pressuring the government to meet its obligations and ensure that lecturers receive a living wage.