Table of Contents
- ASUU Warning Strike Announcement
- Ultimatum to the Government
- Government's Response
- Minister's Statements
- ASUU's Criticism of the Ministry
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to initiate a two-week warning strike on Monday, unless there are any last-minute changes to the plan.
This decision follows the expiration of the two-week ultimatum that the union issued to the Federal Government to address their ongoing demands.
As the deadline approaches on Sunday night, reports indicate that the Federal Government has not yet made any public statement regarding the impending industrial action.
DAILY POST recalls that ASUU had instructed its branches to prepare for the warning strike.
The current conflict between the union and the Federal Government arises despite ongoing negotiations aimed at preventing another round of industrial action in the nation’s higher education institutions.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced on Wednesday that the government has entered the final phase of discussions with ASUU and other unions to resolve persistent issues concerning welfare, funding, and the execution of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
The Minister also revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made significant strides by allocating N50 billion for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, with an additional N150 billion earmarked in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be distributed in three installments.
“Lecturers deserve fair compensation, and our academic and non-academic staff should enjoy better welfare. However, we cannot fulfill all demands at once. What is important is our sincerity and commitment to making meaningful improvements to their conditions,” Alausa stated.
Nevertheless, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, criticized the Ministry of Education for what he termed a consistent delay in resolving critical issues impacting university lecturers.
“Their ultimatum ends on Sunday, and following that, a warning strike will proceed unless the government provides a substantial response. Therefore, in the next 48 hours, we anticipate receiving something significant from the government.
“Then, we can return to our members and ask, ‘Do you believe this is enough for us to continue?’ We will act according to our members' wishes,” he explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason for ASUU's warning strike?
ASUU's warning strike is a response to the Federal Government's failure to meet their ongoing demands after the expiration of a two-week ultimatum.
What has the Federal Government said about the situation?
The Federal Government has not yet issued any public comment regarding the impending industrial action, despite ongoing negotiations with ASUU.
What progress has been made regarding lecturers' welfare?
The Minister of Education announced that N50 billion has been allocated for Earned Academic Allowances, with an additional N150 billion included in the 2025 budget for needs assessment.
