By Nsan Neji
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its two-week warning strike following renewed commitments by the Federal Government and the National Assembly to address the union’s long-standing demands.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the suspension on Wednesday during a press conference in Abuja, stating that the decision was taken after recent engagements with the Yayale Ahmed-led committee and the Deputy Senate President.
He said the union decided to suspend the strike before its scheduled expiration on October 27, 2025, in consideration of the latest assurances from the government and the intervention of the Senate leadership.
According to Piwuna, “ASUU has resolved to suspend its warning strike for one month to allow the government to demonstrate genuine commitment in addressing our demands. However, if concrete steps are not taken within this period, the union will resume the industrial action without prior notice.”
The suspended strike, declared on October 12, came after the Federal Government failed to meet several of ASUU’s key demands, including the review of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned academic allowances, and the release of funds for university revitalisation.
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Following ASUU’s declaration of the strike, the Federal Government criticised the union’s action, insisting it was already addressing the issues raised. The Ministry of Education later issued a circular directing universities to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy in line with labour regulations.
The circular further instructed vice-chancellors to conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of academic staff, and to submit reports identifying those who reported for duty during the strike period.
Last week, the Senate waded into the crisis through its Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, chaired by Senator Aliyu Dandutse, expressing concern over the government’s inability to meet ASUU’s demands.
After a closed-door session with ASUU’s leadership, Dandutse disclosed that the Senate would initiate negotiations involving the Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and other key stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the recurring industrial crises in Nigerian universities.
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The committee also pledged to engage the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resolve the lingering dispute over the ownership of the University of Abuja’s land.
ASUU’s latest decision offers temporary relief for students and university administrators across the country, though uncertainty remains over the government’s ability to meet the union’s demands within the one-month suspension window.
