Academic activities were grounded in most public universities across the country on Monday following full compliance by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, with the ongoing two-week warning strike.

ASUU on Monday commenced a two-week warning strike following the expiration of its ultimatum to the government

The renewed face-off between the ASUU and the FG came after negotiations aimed at preventing another prolonged shutdown of public universities failed.

On October 10, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the government was in the final phase of talkswith aggrieved lecturers and other university-based unions to resolve outstanding issues related to welfare, funding, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

Alausa noted that the Tinubu administration had made notable progress, including the release of N50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances and the inclusion of N150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be disbursed in three tranches.

But ASUU disclosed after the meeting that the government presented to them a document that was “totally alien to issues discussed at plenary, particularly the item on conditions of service”.

According to ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna the union’s demands include: Conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021; the release of withheld three-and-half months’ salaries on account of the 2022 strike action; Release of unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments due to the application of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS.

Others include release of outstanding third-party deductions such as pension deductions, check-off dues, and cooperative contributions; Funding for revitalization of public universities and Payment of arrears of 25% – 35% salary award for 12 months.

The union in a statement on Sunday, warned its members across the country that any “violation of this strike action will be met with severe sanctions”.

There was a total compliance across all federal and state universities in Nigeria.

Ongoing semester examinations at several universities across the country were disrupted following the industrial dispute.

Some of the affected institutions include Nasarawa State University, Keffi; the Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, the University of Benin, Edo State, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, and the University of Jos, Plateau State.

Bayero University Kano and the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU in Bauchi State had just concluded their semester examinations, narrowly escaping the two-week strike period.

At the Nasarawa State University, ASUU officials were seen moving from one examination hall to another, compelling students to vacate the halls.

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna on Monday said the union is ready to resume talks with the Federal Government, reaffirming the union’s commitment to dialogue as the only path to resolving the lingering industrial dispute.

“Today, I received a call from Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, Chairman of the Federal Government Team, and he’s eager to resume talks with us.

“I also received another call from the Minister of State for Labour, stating that she’s been directed to intervene and get this matter resolved.

“ASUU is willing. We are ready and available to discuss this matter once and for all,” Piwuna said during an interview on Channels TV.

Meanwhile, the FG had directed the Vic-Chancellors of all federal universities to immediately stop the remuneration of the striking lecturers.

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