FG Appeals to ASUU to Suspend Planned Strike, Promises Swift Action

The Federal Government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend its planned strike, assuring that concrete steps are being taken to address the union’s outstanding demands.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the government was already engaging with the union to resolve lingering issues. He emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed all relevant agencies to ensure that no further disruption occurs in the nation’s tertiary education system.

Alausa revealed that the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee has been reconstituted and inaugurated to fast-track discussions with both academic and non-academic unions in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

“The Federal Government is committed to resolving all issues raised by ASUU. We are not ignoring their concerns; rather, we are working tirelessly to ensure that every demand is addressed within the framework of fairness and sustainability,” Alausa said.

ASUU had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government, threatening to embark on a nationwide warning strike if its demands were not met. The ultimatum is set to expire on Sunday, following what the union described as years of neglect and broken promises.

In a statement signed by its National President, Chris Piwuna, ASUU lamented the government’s continued disregard for the welfare of university lecturers and the poor state of public universities.

“Apart from engagement with the press, in August 2025, members of ASUU in both federal and state universities held rallies across campuses to press home their demands. Nothing came out of these rallies, and the government continues to pay little or no attention to education and the welfare of university academics,” the statement read.

The union maintained that if the government fails to act within the ultimatum, it would begin with a two-week warning strike, which may escalate into a total and indefinite shutdown of public universities.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to dialogue, urging ASUU to give the reconstituted negotiation committee time to complete its work.