The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it is expecting a response from the Federal Ministry of Education on Monday, as its ongoing two-week warning strike enters its sixth day.
ASUU National President, Prof Chris Piwuna, confirmed this in an interview with PUNCH on Saturday in Abuja, announcing that the union is awaiting official communication from the government before making further comments.
"We are expecting feedback from the ministry on Monday. For now, there is nothing to say," Piwuna said.
Recall that the strike, which began on Monday, followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over unresolved issues affecting public universities.
The industrial action has raised fears over a potential escalation, prompting intervention efforts from the National Assembly.
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, recently assured that the parliament is committed to mediating and preventing a prolonged shutdown of academic activities.
Last Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated that the government was in the final phase of negotiations with ASUU and other university unions.
Alausa further disclosed steps taken by the Tinubu administration, including the release of N50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances and the allocation of N150 billion in the proposed 2025 budget for university needs assessments, to be disbursed in three tranches.
However, while announcing the strike, Prof Piwuna insisted that these measures were insufficient to halt the union’s decision.
"There is nothing sufficient on the ground to stop the implementation of ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike. All branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, 13th October 2025. The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive," he said.
ASUU’s demands include the finalisation of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities, and an end to alleged victimisation of lecturers at LASU, Kogi State University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
The union is also seeking payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union dues.
All eyes are now on Monday’s expected response from the government, which may determine whether the ongoing action will be called off or extended.
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