ASUU Suspends Two-Week Warning Strike: Lecturers Resume Work as FG Gets One-Month Ultimatum

By Luchiinter News Desk | October 22, 2025

After two weeks of nationwide tension across Nigeria’s public universities, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has finally suspended its warning strike — giving the Federal Government a one-month ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands.

The suspension followed an emergency meeting of ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) held late Tuesday night in Abuja. The union’s leadership said it took the decision “in the interest of Nigerian students and parents” but warned that a full-scale strike could resume if the government fails to fulfill its promises before November 30, 2025.

ASUU’s Demands Remain Unresolved

ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, while addressing journalists, said the decision to suspend the strike came after extensive deliberation on the government’s response to its grievances.

According to him, although some progress was made during discussions with the Ministries of Education, Finance, and Labour, several critical issues remain unresolved — including:

1. Payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowances (EAA)
2. Release of withheld salaries during previous strikes
3. Implementation of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government Agreement
4. Improved funding for university revitalization projects
5. Withdrawal from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform

Professor Osodeke emphasized that the Federal Government must demonstrate genuine commitment within the next one month, warning that “ASUU will not hesitate to resume an indefinite strike if the authorities fail to act decisively.”

Students, Parents Express Relief

Across Nigeria, the news of the suspension was met with mixed reactions from students, parents, and education stakeholders.

In many campuses, students expressed relief that academic activities would resume after weeks of uncertainty. “I’m happy we can finally go back to class,” said Joy Okonkwo, a student of the University of Lagos. “But I’m worried that this might just be temporary if the government doesn’t do the right thing.”

Parents, on their part, commended ASUU’s decision but urged both sides to find a lasting solution. A parent, Mr. Chukwuma Odenigbo, noted, “We are tired of this endless cycle of strikes. Every year, the same issues come up. It’s time the government takes education seriously.”

Government Reacts

In response, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, praised ASUU for what he described as “a responsible and patriotic decision.”

He assured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains committed to addressing the root causes of university strikes. According to the Minister, several committees are currently working on harmonizing salary structures and auditing funds allocated for revitalization.

“We will continue to engage ASUU constructively. Education is a top priority for this government,” he said.

However, sources within the Ministry of Finance revealed that fiscal constraints and competing budgetary demands could delay the implementation of some of ASUU’s requests.

Analysts Call for Long-Term Reform

Education experts have urged both the government and ASUU to move beyond temporary settlements and address the structural challenges undermining Nigeria’s tertiary education.

Dr. Abdulrahman Yusuf, a policy analyst, said Nigeria’s university system suffers from chronic underfunding, infrastructural decay, and brain drain — problems that cannot be solved through strikes alone.

“ASUU’s demands are legitimate, but we must look at sustainable solutions — such as university autonomy, alternative funding models, and accountability in spending,” he explained.

Several experts also argued that recurring strikes erode the global reputation of Nigerian universities, drive students abroad, and deepen youth unemployment.

Economic and Social Impacts of Strikes

Beyond the classroom, frequent disruptions in the academic calendar have economic consequences. Businesses that depend on student patronage — from food vendors to hostels and transport operators — suffer losses each time universities shut down.

The latest warning strike reportedly cost small business owners millions of naira, especially in university towns such as Nsukka, Ife, Ilorin, and Zaria.

For students, the constant interruptions extend graduation timelines, delay youth employment, and affect morale. Many graduates say prolonged academic sessions caused by strikes make them “over-aged” for job opportunities in both the public and private sectors.

ASUU’s Warning to Government

In its final communiqué, ASUU reiterated that it would not hesitate to embark on a total and indefinite strike if the government defaults again.

The union said it has set up monitoring committees across universities to track government compliance and ensure transparency in the implementation of pending agreements.

“The struggle continues until our universities are properly funded, our lecturers are respected, and our students get the quality education they deserve,” ASUU declared.

What Next?

As lectures resume across campuses, Nigerians are watching to see whether this truce will mark a turning point in the long-standing battle between ASUU and the Federal Government.

Many observers believe that President Tinubu’s administration must take bold steps to reform university governance, improve infrastructure, and rebuild trust with the academic community.

Until then, both lecturers and students remain cautiously hopeful that this time, peace in the education sector will last longer than usual.