The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning of a potential nationwide strike if longstanding issues affecting Nigeria’s public universities are not resolved. The union announced the decision following a National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.
In a notice signed by its national president, the union criticised what it described as persistent government neglect of the education sector and failure to honour previous agreements. It recalled that in August 2025, lecturers across federal and state universities held rallies and press engagements to demand action on unresolved issues, but those efforts produced no meaningful response.
“What is clear for now is that both the federal and state governments have a strong habit of paying little or no attention to the education sector in general and the welfare of university academics in particular,” ASUU stated.
If the government fails to act within the 14-day window, the union said it would first embark on a two-week warning strike, followed by a total and indefinite strike if necessary.
The unresolved issues highlighted by ASUU include the re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, sustainable funding and revitalisation of universities, and alleged victimisation of its members in certain institutions. The union also cited outstanding salary arrears of between 25 and 35 percent, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and unpaid third-party deductions.
ASUU expressed confidence that the government has both the capacity and financial strength to address the challenges facing the university system. It called on parents, students, traditional and religious leaders, and other stakeholders to urge the government to act immediately to prevent a disruption of the academic calendar.
The union had earlier warned of a possible nationwide strike in August, accusing the government of failing to implement agreements on university revitalisation and proper funding. It noted that lecturers have endured over two years of broken promises and delays.
For small businesses and the wider economy, another prolonged university strike could have ripple effects beyond the education sector. Many SMEs particularly those in student-focused services such as housing, food, retail, printing, and transport , face significant revenue losses during extended campus closures. The uncertainty also affects graduate pipelines and labour availability, deepening the challenges faced by employers and startups reliant on young talent.
