The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has initiated a nationwide mobilisation of its members in universities across the country, gearing up for a potential nationwide warning strike.
This development comes just days before the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government on September 28, 2025.
In a circular dated October 5, 2025, and signed by ASUU President Professor Christopher Piwuna, the union expressed deep dissatisfaction with the government’s persistent silence and apparent unwillingness to address the unresolved challenges plaguing the university sector.
The circular, directed to all ASUU members, revealed that during an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) on September 29, 2025, the union reviewed the results of a referendum conducted among its branches. Following this, the NEC resolved to present the government with a 14-day ultimatum.
This ultimatum was designed to pressure the government into signing and implementing the renegotiated agreement that ASUU had submitted as far back as February 2025.
Professor Piwuna expressed regret that, even a week after the union’s demands were formally communicated to the Ministers of Labour and Education, as well as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), there has been no significant response or progress from the government.
“I must inform you that there has been no substantial development worthy of consideration,” Piwuna stated.
He clarified that the union’s current stance is primarily to compel the government to fulfill its obligations, especially regarding the signing and execution of the renegotiated agreement alongside other longstanding demands.
As the deadline approaches, Piwuna praised the members for their endurance and steadfastness throughout what he described as a protracted and unjustifiably delayed negotiation process spanning over eight years.
He called on all members to ramp up mobilisation efforts within their campuses to foster solidarity and preparedness for forthcoming actions.
The ASUU President highlighted that the union’s collective power remains its most potent tool in the fight to restore and enhance the Nigerian university system’s global competitiveness.
“The coming days demand the mobilisation of every union member to maintain unity of purpose. No one should be excluded from this struggle to protect our welfare, curb the brain drain, and reposition Nigerian universities on the world stage,” the statement emphasized.
ASUU further instructed members to adhere strictly to directives from their branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators and to participate actively in congress meetings for timely updates on future developments.