Barely a week before its planned nationwide strike, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has begun mobilising members across Nigerian campuses, preparing to shut down public universities over unmet government promises.
According to reports, the Federal Government has remained silent despite receiving ASUU’s strike notice, which was addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi, and other relevant authorities.
Two-Week Warning Strike Before Indefinite Shutdown
ASUU had earlier announced that all public universities would be closed from Sunday, September 28, 2025, beginning with a two-week warning strike. If the government fails to act, the union vowed the action would escalate into a total and indefinite shutdown.
In a fresh letter dated October 5, 2025, signed by ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, the union reaffirmed its stance, blaming government inaction for the looming crisis.
“The National Executive Council (NEC) of our Union, at its emergency meeting of 29th September, 2025, resolved to give the government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve the issues contained in the renegotiated document submitted since February, 2025. Failure to do so would trigger a two-week warning strike,” Piwuna stated.
He added that ASUU had been “unjustifiably locked in a negotiation that has lasted over eight years” and insisted that only decisive action from the government could avert the strike.
The Demands and Lingering Issues
ASUU’s demands include:
- Signing and implementing the renegotiated agreement document.
- Addressing welfare concerns for university staff.
- Tackling the “Jupa syndrome” and restructuring the Nigerian University System for global competitiveness.
“The goal of our action is to compel the government to implement the agreement and reposition universities for global relevance,” Piwuna said, urging members to remain united.
Call for Mobilisation
In the statement, ASUU instructed members to strictly take directives from their branch Chairpersons, Zonal Coordinators, and Congress meetings.
“We are strong when we organise, but weakened when we agonise! Our Union has always acted in solidarity; this action will not be different,” Piwuna declared.
As tension builds, parents, students, and the Nigerian public brace for another round of academic disruption, hoping the government and ASUU can reach common ground before universities are shut indefinitely.
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