The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will today begin a two-week warning strike after its ultimatum to the Federal Government expired on Sunday.
ASUU’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced this during a press briefing at the University of Abuja, saying the government failed to meet the union’s demands despite repeated negotiations.
The strike follows stalled talks over the implementation of the 2009 ASUU–FG agreement, payment of withheld salaries, revitalisation funds, and other welfare-related issues.
Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had earlier said the government was in the final phase of discussions with ASUU, noting that N50 billion had been released for earned allowances and another N150 billion budgeted for needs assessment in 2025.
However, ASUU rejected the new proposal presented by the government on Friday, describing it as inconsistent with earlier agreements. Piwuna said the union would submit its own response highlighting areas of distortion and neglect.
He stated that all ASUU branches have been directed to withdraw their services from midnight today, stressing that the strike would be total and comprehensive.
Government sources revealed that attempts by the minister to reach ASUU leadership before the strike were unsuccessful.
Reacting to the development, the Federal Government warned it may enforce the no-work-no-pay policy. In a joint statement, Ministers of Education Tunji Alausa and Suwaiba Ahmad urged the union to reconsider its action, insisting that dialogue remains the best path to resolving outstanding issues.