The Federal Government says it is making significant
progress in talks with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to
prevent another nationwide strike from crippling Nigeria’s tertiary education
system.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday,
the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, assured that the government
is already addressing the union’s key demands.
According to him, the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Federal
Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee has been
reconstituted and inaugurated to fast-track negotiations with both academic
and non-academic unions across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of
education.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu has issued a clear directive to ensure that no further disruptions
occur in Nigeria’s higher institutions, stressing that the administration is
committed to stability in the education sector.
Meanwhile, ASUU has commenced full mobilisation of
its members nationwide in preparation for a possible warning strike
as its 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government expires on Sunday.
The union’s decision followed a National Executive
Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja, where members
expressed frustration over what they described as government’s “consistent
neglect” of the university system.
In a statement signed by ASUU National President, Prof.
Chris Piwuna, the union lamented that both the federal and state
governments have shown little regard for the education sector and the welfare
of academic staff.
“In August 2025, ASUU members across federal and state
universities held peaceful rallies to urge government action on lingering
issues affecting the university system. Unfortunately, nothing came out of
those efforts,” the statement read.
ASUU further warned that if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands by the end of the ultimatum, it would embark on a two-week warning strike, followed by a total and indefinite industrial action if necessary.
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