ASUU Insists on October 13 Deadline, Vows to Begin Two-Week Warning Strike if Demands Are Ignored

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reaffirmed its decision to commence a two-week nationwide warning strike if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands by October 13, 2025.

ASUU President, Dr. Chris Piwuna, made this declaration on Monday during an Orientation and Leadership Training with the theme “Understanding the Principles of the Union” at the ASUU Niger Delta University (NDU) Branch, Amassoma, Bayelsa State.

Piwuna said the union would not reconsider its stance, stressing that the planned strike was the outcome of years of unfulfilled promises and stalled negotiations on key issues, including the signing and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

“The warning strike has been issued, and we are not meeting again to discuss it because our position has been taken,” he stated. “By midnight of Monday, we will embark on a two-week warning strike. After it expires, we will meet to decide on when to begin an indefinite and comprehensive strike action.”

He noted that the Federal Government’s continued delay in addressing ASUU’s long-standing demands left the union with no alternative but industrial action.

“We have given the government enough time. Imagine, they promised to respond within three weeks but have failed to do so till now. Nigerians should understand that our actions are always a response to government’s neglect,” Piwuna said.

On the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the ASUU President reiterated the union’s opposition to the student loan policy, describing it as unrealistic in the face of economic hardship and unemployment.

“We told the government that we do not support loans in such a depressed economy where families can barely feed. Where do they expect students to get money to repay loans? If the intention is to support education, the funds should be given as grants, not loans,” he added.

Piwuna also criticised NELFUND’s spending pattern, alleging financial recklessness.

“Reports show that an agency less than a year old with fewer than 100 staff has spent ₦14 billion on personnel. Even this university with over 1,000 staff doesn’t spend that much in a year,” he said.

In her remarks, ASUU National Financial Secretary, Dr. Happiness Uduk, reminded members that ASUU is not only a union of intellectuals but one founded on integrity, transparency, and accountability, urging them to uphold these principles despite pressures.

Also speaking, Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, called for stronger collaboration among ASUU members, noting that a unified understanding of the union’s principles could drive transformation across Nigeria’s universities.

Vice Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Prof. Allen Agih, lauded the ASUU leadership for organising the training, describing it as a vital initiative that should be sustained.

Earlier, Dr. Lucky Bebeteidoh, Chairperson of ASUU NDU Branch, commended the national leadership for its commitment and thanked members for their active participation and constructive engagement during the workshop.