The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has began mobilizing members for industrial action.
The union said the move followed the Federal Government’s silence despite being served a strike notice addressed to all relevant authorities, including the Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi.
Last Monday, ASUU announced that it would shut down all public universities to press home its demands. The notice, effective from Sunday, September 28, 2025, will begin with a two-week warning strike before transitioning into a total and indefinite strike if the government fails to act.
In a new letter dated October 5, 2025, and signed by its president, Prof. Chris Piwuna, ASUU reaffirmed its decision to shut down universities, citing government inaction.
He said, “The National Executive Council (NEC) of our Union, at its emergency meeting of 29th September, 2025, having evaluated the results of the referendum held across our branches, resolved to give the government a fourteen-day ultimatum to resolve the issues contained in the negotiated document which has been transmitted to the government since February, 2025.
“It was further resolved that the union will proceed on a two-week warning strike at the expiration of the ultimatum if the government fails to take acceptable and satisfactory steps to address the lingering issues.
“The resolutions were immediately communicated to the Honourable Minister of Labour, the Honourable Minister of Education and the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“It is now one week since those resolutions were reached and communicated to the appropriate authorities. I regret to inform you that there is no meaningful development deserving of any consideration to be reported.
“As we enter the second and final week of the ultimatum, thank you on behalf of NEC for the patience and understanding which you demonstrated since the commencement of this torturous negotiation that has unjustifiably lasted over eight years.
“The goal of our current action remains principally to compel the Government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement document, amongst other demands.
“The days ahead call for the mobilisation of every member of our union to ensure unity of purpose. No one should be left out of the struggle for our welfare, stem the Jupa syndrome and reposition the Nigerian University System (NUS) for global competitiveness.
“We are strong when we organise, but weakened when we agonise! Our Union has always acted in solidarity as a collective; this action will not be different.
“Members are to take instructions only from their Chairpersons. When in doubt, members should consult their Chairpersons, Zonal Coordinators and attend Congress meetings regularly for updates on further developments.”
