ASUU issues a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over unmet demands, warning of a potential strike if issues remain unresolved

The ASUU 14-day ultimatum has stirred concerns of renewed disruptions in Nigeria’s public university system, as the Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned of imminent industrial action if the Federal Government fails to meet its longstanding demands.

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The decision followed a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday, 28 September, at the University of Abuja.

The union, led by its national president, Prof. Chris Piwuna, accused the government of persistently neglecting the higher education sector.

In a statement personally signed and released to journalists in Abuja, Prof. Piwuna stated, “The Union decried the neglect of the university system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands. Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an ultimatum of fourteen (14) days.”

He added that failure to address the issues within the specified period could result in a two-week warning strike, followed by a total and indefinite strike if the situation remains unresolved.

ASUU’s core demands include:

The renegotiation and implementation of the 2009 agreement
Provision of adequate revitalisation funds for universities
Payment of outstanding salary arrears
Sustainable funding mechanisms for tertiary education

While the Federal Government had earlier constituted a committee chaired by Abel Enitan, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, to address the union’s concerns, no resolution or public statement has yet been issued.

The ASUU 14-day ultimatum comes at a time when students and stakeholders had hoped for lasting stability in the tertiary education sector, following years of repeated strike actions that have disrupted academic calendars and strained public confidence.