The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it is expecting a response from the Federal Ministry of Education on Monday (today) regarding its ongoing industrial action.
ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, confirmed this in Abuja on Saturday, saying, “We are expecting feedback from the ministry on Monday. For now, there is nothing to say.”
The two-week warning strike, which began last Monday, entered its sixth day on Sunday. The union embarked on the action after the expiration of an ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government on October 5.
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, had earlier assured that the National Assembly was making efforts to mediate between the government and the union to prevent the situation from worsening.
Last Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the government had entered the final stage of talks with ASUU and other university-based unions over issues surrounding welfare, funding, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU–FG agreement.
Alausa stated that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had already released N50 billion for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances and included N150 billion in the 2025 budget for university revitalisation projects, to be released in three instalments.
Announcing the strike earlier, Piwuna said, “Compatriots of the press, it is clear that there is nothing tangible on the ground to prevent the implementation of ASUU-NEC’s decision to embark on a two-week warning strike after the expiration of the 14-day notice issued on September 28, 2025. All branches of ASUU are therefore directed to withdraw their services from midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025. The strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting.”
The union’s demands include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement, payment of withheld salaries covering three and a half months, sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities, and an end to alleged victimisation of lecturers at Lagos State University, Kogi State University (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
ASUU is also demanding the payment of 25–35 per cent salary arrears, settlement of promotion arrears accumulated over four years, and the release of withheld third-party deductions, including cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
