The Federal Government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to shelve its planned strike action.
Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the Federal Government was already looking into the demands of the Union and progress is already being made in the ongoing negotiations between both parties.
Alausa, stated that the government was committed to addressing the union’s demands and progress is being made in ongoing negotiations.
The Minister also explained that the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee had been reconstituted and inaugurated to fast-track talks with both academic and non-academic unions in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
ASUU had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, which expired on Sunday, threatening to embark on a nationwide warning strike if its demands are not met.
The union’s demands include improved welfare for university academics and resolution of outstanding issues in the education sector.
In a notice of strike action signed by the National president of ASUU, Chris Piwuna, the union decried the neglect of the university system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.
“Apart from engagement with the press, in August 2025, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities in both federal and state universities held rallies, carrying placards, on their campuses to press the government to address the lingering issues in the university system.
“Nothing came out of all these rallies and pleas. What is clear for now is that both the federal and state governments have a strong habit of paying little or no attention to the education sector in general and the welfare of university academics in particular,” ASUU stated.
It, however, stated that if at the end of the 14-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.
The union may proceed with a two-week warning is unmet.
The outcome of the ongoing negotiations will determine whether ASUU proceeds with its planned strike action.
