The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has criticized the Federal Government’s last-minute appeal to suspend its planned warning strike, describing the move as belated and ineffective. ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday.
Piwuna expressed frustration over the government’s slow response to the union’s longstanding demands, particularly from the Ministry of Education. He noted that despite repeated engagements, the authorities have failed to act with urgency or consistency.
He recalled that ASUU had granted the government a three-week window to address its grievances following a meeting in Sokoto. However, no communication was received during that period, which Piwuna described as a lack of courtesy and seriousness.
“We accepted the three-week grace, but not a single word came from them until the deadline passed,” Piwuna said. “Even a simple message to say they were unable to meet us would have shown some level of respect and engagement.”
According to Piwuna, the government only reached out two working days before the strike was scheduled to begin, asking ASUU to reconsider its decision. He argued that such an appeal, coming so late, lacked credibility and failed to address the core issues.
Central to ASUU’s demands is the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, which remains unresolved after more than eight years. Piwuna emphasized that the union cannot be expected to back down without substantial progress on this front.
He warned that unless the government takes urgent and meaningful steps within the next 48 hours, the union will proceed with its planned two-week warning strike starting October 13. The ultimatum, he said, expires on Sunday.
ASUU has instructed its branches nationwide to prepare for the industrial action, which is aimed at drawing attention to unresolved issues affecting Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. The union maintains that its demands are rooted in improving conditions for both staff and students.
Despite ongoing negotiations, tensions remain high. On Wednesday, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa announced that the government had entered the final phase of talks with ASUU and other unions to resolve disputes over welfare, funding, and implementation of the 2009 agreement.
As the deadline approaches, stakeholders across the education sector are watching closely. Whether the government can deliver a last-minute breakthrough remains uncertain — but ASUU has made it clear that only concrete action will prevent another disruption in Nigeria’s university system.
