September 29, 2025 | Abuja
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria, warning of possible nationwide industrial action if unresolved issues between the two parties are not addressed. The union said the ultimatum became necessary after the government allegedly failed to honour agreements and commitments that have dragged on for years, leaving the university system underfunded and lecturers demoralised.
Details of the Ultimatum
ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) met in Abuja over the weekend to deliberate on the state of the union’s relationship with the Federal Government. At the end of the meeting, the body issued a communique outlining its grievances and the ultimatum.
The union accused the government of neglecting critical demands, which include:
- Payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and outstanding salary arrears owed to lecturers across the country.
- Adoption and full implementation of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement for the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which ASUU has repeatedly rejected.
- Provision of revitalisation funds for dilapidated infrastructure and inadequate facilities in public universities.
- Renegotiation and implementation of the 2009 FG–ASUU agreement, which touches on funding, academic autonomy, and conditions of service.
- Respect for collective bargaining and consistent engagement with ASUU to avert prolonged disputes.
ASUU stressed that the 14-day countdown began on September 29, 2025, meaning that by October 13, 2025, the Federal Government must meet its demands or risk a total shutdown of academic activities in public universities.
Historical Context: A Cycle of Disputes
This latest face-off is part of a long history of recurring disputes between ASUU and the Federal Government.
- In 2022, the union embarked on an eight-month strike, one of the longest in its history, paralyzing public universities and forcing students to stay at home. The strike was only suspended after the government agreed to a court-mediated resolution.
- The 2009 agreement, which ASUU insists has not been implemented, remains the cornerstone of many of the union’s demands. It covered funding for universities, improved working conditions, and academic freedom.
- Since 2009, ASUU has embarked on over 15 strikes, most of them linked to unfulfilled promises by successive governments.
The repetition of this cycle has made students, parents, and education stakeholders sceptical about government commitments and weary of ASUU’s recurring strikes.
Impact on Students and Families
The prospect of another ASUU strike has sparked concern among millions of Nigerian students and their families.
Students interviewed across different campuses expressed frustration, with many noting that the uncertainty in the academic calendar affects their career plans, international opportunities, and mental well-being.
Some parents also lamented the financial implications of prolonged closures, noting that feeding, accommodation, and transport expenses continue regardless of whether academic activities are ongoing.
Private universities and foreign institutions often become an alternative for those who can afford it, but for the majority, prolonged ASUU strikes mean unavoidable academic stagnation.
Government’s Position So Far
As of press time, the Federal Government had not issued an official statement responding to ASUU’s ultimatum. However, officials in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour are expected to begin consultations with the union in the coming days.
In past negotiations, government officials have cited revenue shortfalls, economic challenges, and competing national priorities as reasons for delayed implementation of agreements.
The government has also argued that IPPIS ensures transparency in payroll, although ASUU insists it undermines university autonomy and fails to accommodate the peculiarities of academic work.
Possible Consequences of Another Strike
If the Federal Government fails to address ASUU’s demands within the 14-day window, the likely strike could have significant consequences:
- Disruption of the academic calendar nationwide, forcing students to lose another semester or year.
- Decline in research output, as Nigerian universities already struggle to compete globally.
- Erosion of public trust in the education system, driving more students abroad and increasing capital flight.
- Increased unemployment and poverty, as graduates are delayed in entering the labour market.
Experts also warn that a prolonged strike could spark wider labour unrest, with other unions possibly aligning in solidarity with ASUU.
Expert Reactions
Education analysts have described the ultimatum as a “wake-up call” to the Federal Government.
Dr. Kunle Ajayi, a university lecturer in Lagos, told reporters that “ASUU has been consistent in its demands for better funding of education. If the government continues to neglect these issues, we will keep seeing a brain drain, where our best academics leave for better opportunities abroad.”
Others, however, argue that ASUU should explore alternative forms of protest rather than recurring strikes, which place the burden primarily on students and their families.
Way Forward
Many stakeholders believe that resolving the impasse requires:
- Genuine political will from the Federal Government to prioritise education.
- Establishment of a clear and time-bound implementation framework for agreements.
- Transparent engagement between ASUU, government, and other stakeholders, including students.
- Increased budgetary allocation to education, in line with UNESCO’s recommendation of 15–20% of national budgets.
Conclusion
The next two weeks will be decisive for Nigeria’s higher education system. If the Federal Government fails to address ASUU’s demands, public universities could once again be plunged into crisis, deepening the cycle of strikes that has plagued the sector for decades.
For now, students, parents, and lecturers alike wait anxiously as the 14-day clock ticks down.
