The Federal Government has urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to immediately suspend its ongoing two-week warning strike, insisting that all of the union’s key demands have already been addressed.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said there was “no justification” for the strike, which began today, as the government had made substantial commitments and fulfilled “every single request” made by ASUU.
“We have addressed every single request by ASUU; there is no need for this strike, and we are pleading with them to go back to school,” Alausa said.
ASUU had, on Sunday, declared a nationwide strike across all public universities, citing the Federal Government’s failure to fulfil longstanding demands. National President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the industrial action during a press conference at the University of Abuja, saying the decision followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on 28 September 2025.
“There is nothing sufficient on the ground to stop the implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike… All branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight,” Piwuna stated.
Alausa: “ASUU predetermined the strike”
Reacting, Alausa described the union’s action as premeditated, alleging that ASUU leaders had already made up their minds to strike regardless of the government’s goodwill.
“Despite negotiating in good faith, I’ve been getting messages since Friday that ASUU had already decided to go on strike. So when you predetermine your action, despite all gestures of goodwill, what more do you want?”
He added that the Federal Government had already disbursed ₦50 billion in Earned Academic Allowances and had proposed further funding under the 2025 budget.
“We’ve literally addressed every single issue that ASUU is requesting. We’ve allocated ₦683 billion for tertiary education infrastructure, covering hostels, labs, lecture halls, and medical school upgrades,” he said.
Alausa also disclosed that student support programmes and academic staff training were being actively funded through the Nigeria Education Revitalisation Fund (NERF) and other initiatives.
FG: ASUU blocking disbursement of funds
The Minister further accused ASUU of contributing to delays in distributing needs-assessment funds by insisting on exclusive control over the first tranche.
“It is ASUU that is holding those disbursements,” Alausa alleged, calling on the union to allow funds to reach universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education as originally intended.
Outstanding issues “largely addressed”
On other demands — such as promotion arrears, withheld third-party deductions, and the controversial three-and-a-half months’ withheld salaries from ASUU’s previous strike — Alausa said most issues had been resolved or were under the purview of individual universities.
He also reiterated that the withheld salaries would not be fully paid, noting that previous negotiations had only allowed for partial payments.
Minister appeals to parents, students
Alausa concluded by directly appealing to university lecturers, parents, and students, assuring them of the government’s commitment to keeping campuses open.
“Let me reassure our students and their parents: the Federal Government will do everything humanly possible to keep you in school. I plead with ASUU to shelve this strike — it should not have happened at all.”
Background
ASUU is demanding the finalisation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU renegotiated agreement, full release of withheld salaries, sustainable university funding, end to lecturer victimisation, and payment of arrears, including third-party deductions.
The union had held protests in August 2025 and rejected the government’s most recent proposal during a meeting on 10 October, claiming it failed to meet expectations.
Despite Alausa’s reassurances, ASUU remains resolute in its stance, insisting that the government has not fulfilled its side of the bargain.
