Barring any last-minute breakthrough, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is preparing to begin a two-week warning strike on Monday following the expiration of its two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government.
The union had previously instructed all its chapters across the country to gear up for industrial action, accusing the government of neglecting its long-standing commitments.
Despite the ultimatum expiring on Sunday night, the Federal Government has yet to issue any official response.
ASUU Set to Begin Strike Monday
The latest faceoff comes amid ongoing discussions between ASUU and the government over unresolved issues such as lecturers’ welfare, university funding, and the full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had assured during a recent press briefing in Abuja that the government was close to concluding talks with ASUU and other tertiary unions to prevent another disruption of academic activities.
Alausa stated that the Tinubu-led administration had released ₦50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances and earmarked another ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for university needs assessment, which will be disbursed in three installments.
“They (lecturers) deserve to be paid well, and our academic and non-academic staff deserve improved welfare,” he said. “But we can’t give everything at once. What matters is our sincerity and commitment to substantial improvements in their conditions.”
The minister also mentioned that the government had settled outstanding promotion arrears and allowances, including teaching and wage awards, promising that all pending payments would be cleared by 2026.
Reaffirming the administration’s dedication to restoring stability in the education sector, Alausa appealed to the unions to remain patient and continue with dialogue rather than resorting to strikes that could affect academic progress nationwide.
“We have resolved many of these issues, and we are at the final stage — the condition of service,” he said.
“This government is sincere and has demonstrated that over the last two years. Please bear with us.”
He further revealed that, for the first time, representatives from the Ministry of Justice and the Solicitor-General of the Federation were actively participating in negotiations to ensure that all agreements reached are legally binding.
ASUU President Reacts
However, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, criticized the Ministry of Education for what he described as continued delays in addressing the challenges faced by university lecturers. He accused the ministry of taking a reactive rather than proactive stance toward resolving the issues affecting tertiary education in the country.
“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.”
Meanwhile, reports from several federal universities — including the University of Jos, Ahmadu Bello University, and the University of Abuja — indicate that mobilization for the planned strike has already begun.
At the University of Jos, sources confirmed that ASUU leaders had met with other staff unions to rally support for the proposed industrial action.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, declined to comment on the situation.