The Federal Government has urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its ongoing strike, insisting that all the union's demands have been met. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that the government has addressed every single request made by ASUU, rendering the strike unnecessary ¹.
*ASUU's Demands and Strike Action*
ASUU, however, maintains that the strike will continue as planned. The union had given the government a 14-day ultimatum that expired on September 28, 2025, before embarking on the two-week warning strike. ASUU's demands include the payment of earned academic allowances and withheld salaries from the 2022 strike ² ³.
*Government's Position*
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasized that the government has demonstrated sincerity and goodwill in its dialogue with ASUU. He cited the inauguration of a new negotiation committee, chaired by Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, as evidence of the government's commitment to resolving issues. Alausa appealed to ASUU members to return to work, stressing that the strike is not justified ¹ ².
*ASUU's Response*
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, has rejected the government's appeal, stating that the union's demands remain unmet. Piwuna noted that ASUU had received ₦50 billion from the government as part of the earned academic allowances but maintained that the total outstanding arrears stood at ₦103 billion ².
*Conclusion*
The standoff between ASUU and the Federal Government continues, with both sides dug in on their positions. While the government insists that all demands have been met, ASUU remains committed to its strike action. The outcome remains uncertain, with potential implications for Nigeria's education sector ⁴.
