ASUU Shuts Down Varsities Over Unmet Demands, Rejects FG’s Offer

Union Blames FG for Unmet Promises

Prof. Piwuna stated that despite several meetings and assurances from government officials, “nothing sufficient is on the ground to stop the implementation of ASUU-NEC’s resolution.”

“All branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, October 13. The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive,” he declared.

According to Piwuna, the government’s latest proposal “fell short of expectations” and did not reflect the recommendations of the Yayale Ahmed Renegotiation Committee.

He added that the union would present its own reviewed proposal “highlighting distortions, inconsistencies, and disregard for extant laws” to the Federal Government.

FG Defends Offer, Warns of No-Work-No-Pay

In response, the Federal Ministry of Education on Sunday night urged ASUU to reconsider its decision and warned that the “no work, no pay” policy would be enforced if universities were shut down.

In a joint statement by Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, the government said constructive dialogue remains the most effective way to resolve disputes in the tertiary education sector.

“While government continues to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility, it will not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness and accountability in the use of public resources,” the statement read.

The ministry noted that the Federal Government had released ₦50 billion for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and captured an additional ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment disbursement in three tranches.

Unresolved Demands

ASUU’s key demands include:

Conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement.
Payment of withheld 3½ months’ salaries.
Revitalisation funding for public universities.
Cessation of victimisation of lecturers at LASU, Kogi State University, and FUTO.
Settlement of 25–35% salary arrears and promotion arrears.
Release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperatives and check-off dues.

A source in the Ministry of Education said government officials had reached out to ASUU leadership before the strike deadline but “their calls were ignored.”

NANS Appeals for Dialogue

Reacting to the development, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) expressed concern over the potential impact on students and urged both parties to return to the negotiation table.

Adejuwon Emmanuel, NANS Assistant General Secretary, said in Abuja:

“We urge ASUU and the Federal Government to embrace negotiation in the interest of Nigerian students. Another strike will only worsen our hardship.”

He disclosed that NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, has initiated consultations aimed at mediating between both sides to avert prolonged disruptions.

ASUP Gives FG Six Weeks to Meet Demands

In a related development, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the government a six-week deadline to meet its own demands after suspending a planned industrial action.

ASUP, in a statement after its 115th NEC meeting on October 9, 2025, said it noted progress in key areas including the release of a circular on Peculiar Academic Allowance, renewed NEEDS Assessment funding, and the reconstitution of the Federal Government Renegotiation Committee to include the polytechnic sector.

Background: Recurring Crisis in University Education

ASUU’s ongoing agitation is rooted in long-standing issues such as poor funding, decaying infrastructure, unpaid salaries, and lack of government commitment to previous agreements.

Frequent strikes have disrupted Nigeria’s academic calendar for decades, eroding public confidence in tertiary education and prompting growing calls for comprehensive sector reform.