ASUU Suspends Warning Strike, Gives Federal Government One-Month Ultimatum to Conclude 2009 Agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced the suspension of its two-week warning strike, granting the Federal Government a one-month deadline to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and resolve other pending issues affecting Nigeria’s public universities.

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, disclosed this in Abuja, noting that the decision came after constructive engagements with government representatives and interventions by the National Assembly.

The union had commenced the warning strike on October 13, 2025, citing the government’s failure to implement the renegotiated 2009 agreement and improve lecturers’ welfare.

According to Piwuna, subsequent meetings with the government delegation led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed on October 16 and 18 resulted in meaningful progress, though certain matters remain unresolved. He commended the mediation efforts of the Senate Committees on Education and Labour, alongside Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, for facilitating renewed dialogue.

After deliberations by ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) between October 21 and 22, the union decided to suspend the strike temporarily to allow further negotiation. Piwuna, however, warned that if the government fails to honor its commitments within the one-month period, the union would resume industrial action without hesitation.

He appreciated the solidarity of students, parents, the media, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), urging Nigerians to continue holding the government accountable to ensure lasting stability in the university system.