Tension is brewing again across Nigerian universities as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the President Bola Tinubu administration a two-week ultimatum to address long-standing issues affecting the nation’s tertiary education system, or face imminent industrial action.
In a circular titled “Strike Bulletin No. 1” issued on October 5, 2025, and signed by the union’s President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) said it reached the decision after evaluating the results of a referendum conducted across its branches.
The statement reads in part, “The National Executive Council (NEC) of our Union, at its emergency meeting of 29th September, 2025, having evaluated the results of the referendum held across our branches, resolved to give government a fourteen-day ultimatum to resolve the issues contained in the negotiated document which has been transmitted to government since February, 2025.”
The circular, obtained by SaharaReporters, warned that if the Nigerian Government fails to meet the demands before the deadline, the union will embark on a two-week warning strike.
“It was further resolved that the union will proceed on a two-week warning strike at the expiration of the ultimatum if government fails to take acceptable and satisfactory steps to address the lingering issues,” the bulletin stated.
ASUU lamented that despite notifying the Minister of Labour, Minister of Education, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of the resolutions, there has been “no meaningful development deserving of any consideration to be reported.”
The union accused the Tinubu-led government of foot-dragging on implementing its commitments, including the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, revitalization of public universities, payment of earned academic allowances, and other welfare-related demands.
“It is now one week since those resolutions were reached and communicated to the appropriate authorities. I regret to inform you that there is no meaningful development deserving of any consideration to be reported,” the statement added.
ASUU criticized what it called a “tortuous negotiation” process that has “unjustifiably lasted over eight years.”
“As we enter the second and final week of the ultimatum, I thank you on behalf of NEC for the patience and understanding which you demonstrated since the commencement of this tortuous negotiation that has unjustifiably lasted over eight years,” the circular read.
The union stated that its current action is aimed at compelling the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement document and address the brain drain, known as “Japa syndrome,” which continues to deplete the country’s universities of qualified lecturers.
“The goal of our current action remains principally to compel government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement document, amongst other demands,” it noted.
Professor Piwuna urged members across all branches to mobilize and maintain unity of purpose, describing the coming days as crucial for the future of Nigeria’s university system.
“The days ahead call for mobilization of every member of our union to ensure unity of purpose. No one should be left out of the struggle to our welfare, stem the Japa syndrome and reposition the Nigeria University System (NUS) for global competitiveness,” he said.
In what appears to be a rallying cry, the ASUU President emphasized solidarity and internal discipline within the ranks of the union.
“We are strong when we organise, but weakened when we agonise! Our Union has always acted in solidarity as a collective; this action will not be different. Members are to take instructions only from their Chairpersons,” ASUU said.
“When in doubt, members should consult their Chairpersons, Zonal Coordinators and attend Congress meetings regularly for updates on further developments.”
ASUU has been at loggerheads with successive Nigerian governments over the implementation of agreements dating back to 2009, with recurring strikes paralyzing academic activities across public universities.
The union’s demands include the release of revitalization funds, payment of earned academic allowances, replacement of IPPIS with the UTAS payment platform, and improved funding for research and infrastructure.
Despite several negotiation rounds, memoranda, and presidential promises, most of the agreements remain unimplemented.