19/10/2025
FUTMinna: ASUU STRIKE UPDATE - SENATE WADES IN AMID ONGOING WARNING ACTION
The ongoing two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) continues to ground academic activities across public universities in Nigeria, prompting an intervention by the Senate to broker a resolution between the union and the Federal Government.
ASUU commenced the nationwide strike on Monday, October 13, 2025, following the expiration of its ultimatum to the Federal Government over the failure to address long-standing issues.
New Developments:
Senate Intervention: The Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, led by Senator Muntari Dandutse, met with ASUU leadership on Friday, October 17. The committee expressed its displeasure over the government's failure to honour previous agreements and pledged to facilitate a swift resolution. A follow-up meeting with the Minister of Education and the Executive Secretary of the NUC is scheduled for the coming week.
ASUU's Demands: ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, reaffirmed that the core reasons for the strike include:
- Conclusion and signing of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement.
- Sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities.
- Payment of outstanding salary arrears (including three-and-a-half months' withheld salaries).
- Release of withheld third-party deductions.
GOVERNMENT'S POSITION & "NO WORK, NO PAY":
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has urged ASUU to reconsider its action, insisting that a comprehensive offer has been made to the union. The government has also directed Vice-Chancellors to enforce the "No Work, No Pay" policy against the striking lecturers.
Impact: The strike has disrupted academic calendars, with many students sent home, and semester examinations suspended in affected universities. Local businesses around university campuses are also reporting significant financial losses due to the closure of schools.
ASUU has indicated it is expecting feedback from the Ministry of Education by Monday, October 20, as the current warning strike draws to a close, with the threat of an indefinite strike looming if its demands are not met.