The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called off its two-week warning strike following what it described as “meaningful engagements” with the Federal Government and appeals from key stakeholders.
The union’s National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the suspension during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
He said the decision was reached after an extensive meeting of ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC), which lasted through the night and ended at about 4:00 a.m.
According to Piwuna, the suspension of the strike was a strategic decision aimed at encouraging the ongoing dialogue with the government, even though several of the union’s demands remain unresolved.
“We have had useful engagements with government representatives on the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement. While progress has been made, it is clear that much still needs to be done. Our NEC noted the government’s willingness to return to the negotiation table and, in recognition of the interventions by our students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress, decided to suspend the warning strike as a mark of goodwill”, Piwuna stated
ASUU had commenced the strike on Monday, October 13, to protest the government’s failure to meet several longstanding demands.
The union’s grievances include the full implementation of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of three and a half months of withheld salaries, sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities, and an end to the alleged victimisation of lecturers at the Lagos State University (LASU), Prince Abubakar Audu University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
Other demands include the settlement of outstanding 25–35 percent salary arrears, payment of over four years of promotion arrears, and the release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
While announcing the suspension, Piwuna warned that ASUU’s patience was not limitless, stressing that the union would not hesitate to resume industrial action should the government renege on its promises.
“This suspension is not a sign of surrender but of hope—that this administration will do the right thing for the Nigerian university system,” he concluded.
With the suspension, academic activities are expected to resume immediately across public universities nationwide.
