10-07-2025, 03:49 PM
Strike Countdown: FG Scrambles to Avert ASUU’s Looming October 13 Warning Strike ⚠️🇳🇬
![[Image: asuu-1.jpg]](https://www.icirnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/asuu-1.jpg)
Strike Countdown: FG Scrambles to Avert ASUU’s Looming October 13 Warning Strike. The Nigerian public university system is once again teetering on the edge of a major crisis as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) stands firm on its threat to commence a two-week nationwide warning strike on Monday, October 13, 2025. This looming industrial action follows the Federal Government’s (FG) perceived silence and inaction in addressing long-standing grievances, compelling the union to issue a 14-day ultimatum that is set to expire next week. In a frantic attempt to forestall the shutdown, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, has just inaugurated a new, expanded negotiation committee, signaling a renewed, though belated, commitment to dialogue.
The Imminent Shutdown: ASUU's Position
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has mobilized its chapters nationwide for the planned industrial action, emphasizing that there will be “no going back” unless the government meets its demands before the deadline. The union's National Executive Council (NEC), after a meeting on September 28 and a subsequent resolution on September 29, 2025, resolved to proceed with the warning strike following the government's failure to respond substantively to the issues contained in a negotiated document transmitted to it since February 2025.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, has reiterated the union’s position, noting that the strike is the result of years of "tortuous negotiation" that have yielded little progress. The union is urging its members to remain united and take instructions only from their branch chairpersons.
Core Demands Fueling the Crisis
The planned October 13 warning strike is predicated on a number of critical, long-festering issues that ASUU argues are central to the welfare of its members and the repositioning of the Nigerian University System (NUS) for global competitiveness.
The key demands include:
Government’s Eleventh-Hour Response: A New Committee
In a significant move that came barely 24 hours after ASUU ramped up its mobilization, the Federal Government, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, inaugurated an Expanded Negotiation Committee to fast-track agreements with all tertiary institution unions.
The Academic Impact: Disrupting Education
The recurring cycle of industrial action and subsequent last-minute negotiations continues to cast a dark shadow over the quality and stability of public university education in Nigeria. A strike, even a warning one, will undoubtedly:
Trending Hashtags & Outbound Links
#ASUUStrikeUpdate #SaveEducationNG #FGVsASUU #NigerianUniversities #Oct13Strike #RenewedHopeEducation
Related Links & Resources:
Watch: ASUU President Discusses Strike Mobilisation
The video below provides a news update on ASUU's mobilization efforts and the reasons behind the impending strike action.
News Update: ASUU Begins Mobilisation of Members for Nationwide Strike
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MqF5URSCckM?si=GzH41sHjJ7o1419p
Strike Countdown: FG Scrambles to Avert ASUU’s Looming October 13 Warning Strike. The Nigerian public university system is once again teetering on the edge of a major crisis as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) stands firm on its threat to commence a two-week nationwide warning strike on Monday, October 13, 2025. This looming industrial action follows the Federal Government’s (FG) perceived silence and inaction in addressing long-standing grievances, compelling the union to issue a 14-day ultimatum that is set to expire next week. In a frantic attempt to forestall the shutdown, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, has just inaugurated a new, expanded negotiation committee, signaling a renewed, though belated, commitment to dialogue.
The Imminent Shutdown: ASUU's Position
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has mobilized its chapters nationwide for the planned industrial action, emphasizing that there will be “no going back” unless the government meets its demands before the deadline. The union's National Executive Council (NEC), after a meeting on September 28 and a subsequent resolution on September 29, 2025, resolved to proceed with the warning strike following the government's failure to respond substantively to the issues contained in a negotiated document transmitted to it since February 2025.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, has reiterated the union’s position, noting that the strike is the result of years of "tortuous negotiation" that have yielded little progress. The union is urging its members to remain united and take instructions only from their branch chairpersons.
Core Demands Fueling the Crisis
The planned October 13 warning strike is predicated on a number of critical, long-festering issues that ASUU argues are central to the welfare of its members and the repositioning of the Nigerian University System (NUS) for global competitiveness.
The key demands include:
- Signing and Implementation of the Renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement: This remains the most critical demand, seeking a review of the conditions of service, salary structure, and allowances for academic staff. The union insists that the renegotiated document must be signed and implemented immediately.
- Sustainable Funding for University Revitalisation: ASUU continues to demand adequate funding to address the decaying infrastructure, poorly equipped laboratories, and outdated libraries in public universities across Nigeria.
- Payment of Outstanding Arrears: This includes the payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears and the resolution of promotion arrears lingering for over four years.
- Payment of Withheld Salaries: The union is also pushing for the payment of three and a half months of salaries withheld during previous industrial actions.
- Rejection of the Student Loan Scheme (NELFUND): ASUU has publicly expressed its opposition to the current loan-based system for students, advocating instead for a grant-based approach in the context of Nigeria's "depressed economy" and high unemployment rate. The union has also raised concerns about the alleged high personnel cost of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Government’s Eleventh-Hour Response: A New Committee
In a significant move that came barely 24 hours after ASUU ramped up its mobilization, the Federal Government, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, inaugurated an Expanded Negotiation Committee to fast-track agreements with all tertiary institution unions.
- Committee Head: The committee is chaired by former Head of Service, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed.
- Mandate: The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, stated that the new body is designed to harmonize all negotiation processes under a single, coordinated framework, aiming for a swift, fair, and comprehensive agreement. The inaugural meeting was scheduled for the same day of the announcement, Tuesday, October 7.
- Presidential Backing: Minister Alausa conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's full political backing, with a directive to conclude all negotiations promptly. The goal, according to the Minister, is to ensure that "all our children must be in school."
The Academic Impact: Disrupting Education
The recurring cycle of industrial action and subsequent last-minute negotiations continues to cast a dark shadow over the quality and stability of public university education in Nigeria. A strike, even a warning one, will undoubtedly:
- Disrupt Academic Calendar: Frequent strikes lead to prolonged academic years, affecting graduation timelines and causing significant uncertainty for students and parents. This contributes to the issue of a destabilized university calendar.
- Lower Quality of Education: The hurried academic sessions and rushed examinations that typically follow a long strike allow for little time for thorough teaching, research, and community service, ultimately leading to a decline in the quality of Nigerian graduates and university ranking.
- Fuel the 'Japa' Syndrome: The poor funding and conditions of service are major factors pushing academic staff to seek opportunities abroad, exacerbating the "japa syndrome" and leading to a significant brain drain in the sector.
Trending Hashtags & Outbound Links
#ASUUStrikeUpdate #SaveEducationNG #FGVsASUU #NigerianUniversities #Oct13Strike #RenewedHopeEducation
Related Links & Resources:
- Read more about the FG's new negotiation committee (Source: ICIR Nigeria)
- ASUU's official statement on the warning strike (Source: Vanguard News)
- Analysis on the impact of ASUU strikes on education quality (Source: ResearchGate)
- The National Universities Commission (NUC) official website
Watch: ASUU President Discusses Strike Mobilisation
The video below provides a news update on ASUU's mobilization efforts and the reasons behind the impending strike action.
News Update: ASUU Begins Mobilisation of Members for Nationwide Strike
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MqF5URSCckM?si=GzH41sHjJ7o1419p