By Ibrahim Taiwo Usman
Following the ongoing two-week warning strike action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which began on Monday, 13th October 2025, and is currently in its second week, the union has confirmed ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government’s Renegotiation Team led by Yayale Ahmed, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (2008–2011). This confirmation was contained in a bulletin dated 19th October 2025 and entitled “Strike Bulletin No. 2.”
In the bulletin, issued by the National Strike Coordinating Committee (NSCC) and signed by the Union Chairman, Chris Piwuna, the union confirmed progress in negotiations and renegotiations on five of its seven demands.
These include the release of third-party deductions, arrears of promotions, mainstreaming of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), confiscation of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) land, and the victimisation of members in Prince Abubakar Audu University, Lagos State University (LASU), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
It is important to recall the press release of the union that declared the two-week warning strike.
According to the release, titled “Text of an Emergency Press Conference of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Held at the Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja, Abuja, on Sunday, 12th October 2025,” and signed by the Union Chairman, the issues surrounding the strike action include: the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, release of the withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of universities, and cessation of the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and FUTO. Others are payment of the outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years, and release of withheld third-party deductions (cooperative contributions, union check-off dues, etc.).
The bulletin also commended ASUU members for their solidarity and commitment to implementing the National Executive Council (NEC)’s resolution of 28th September 2025 as it concerns the warning strike.
The bulletin also advised members to attend branch congress meetings regularly to receive verified information and updates from their branch chairpersons regarding the ongoing strike.
It further encouraged members to remain steadfast and united in the days ahead, as “engagements are continuing on all elements of the draft renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, guided by the principles of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).”
