ASUU Set To Begin Warning Strike, See Date

ASUU Set To Begin Warning Strike, See Date

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to commence a two-week warning strike on Monday, unless a last-minute agreement is reached.

The planned action follows the expiration of the two-week ultimatum the union issued to the Federal Government to meet its long-standing demands.

As the deadline lapses on Sunday night, the Federal Government has reportedly remained silent on the looming industrial action.

It’s worth noting that ASUU had directed its chapters nationwide to prepare for the warning strike.

This latest standoff between the union and the government comes despite ongoing negotiations aimed at preventing another disruption in the country’s tertiary education system.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated on Wednesday that the government had entered the final phase of discussions with ASUU and other university-based unions to resolve lingering issues concerning welfare, funding, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

According to him, the Tinubu administration has already made notable progress, including the release of ₦50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances and the inclusion of ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be released in three phases.

“They (lecturers) deserve to be paid well, and our academic and non-academic staff deserve improved welfare. But we can’t give everything at once. What matters is our sincerity and commitment to substantial improvements in their conditions,” Alausa had said.

However, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, criticized the Ministry of Education for what he called its persistent delays in tackling key challenges facing university lecturers.

“Their ultimatum expires on Sunday, and after that, there will be a warning strike unless something substantial comes out from the government. So, in the next 48 hours, we expect to receive something substantial from the government.

“Then, we can go back to our members and ask, ‘Do you think this is sufficient for us to hold on?’ And we will do what our members ask us to do,” he said.