Academic activities were completely grounded across Nigerian public universities on Monday as members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began a two-week warning strike, following the expiration of their ultimatum to the Federal Government.

The strike, which commenced on October 13, marks a renewed standoff between ASUU and the government after negotiations failed to produce an agreement on key issues affecting lecturers’ welfare and university funding.

Recall that the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, recently disclosed that talks were in the final phase, with government efforts including the release of ₦50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances and an additional ₦150 billion for revitalisation projects in the 2025 budget.

However, ASUU President Prof. Christopher Piwuna said the document presented by the government was “totally alien to issues discussed at plenary,” especially regarding lecturers’ conditions of service.

Among ASUU’s demands are:

Conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement (based on the Nimi Briggs Committee Draft of 2021).

Release of withheld 3.5 months’ salaries from the 2022 strike.

Payment of unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct roles affected by the IPPIS system.

Release of outstanding third-party deductions, including pensions and cooperative contributions.

Funding for the revitalisation of public universities and payment of 25–35% salary award arrears for 12 months.

In a statement on Sunday, ASUU warned members that “any violation of this strike action will be met with severe sanctions.”

Campuses Go Silent

Visits to several campuses confirmed total compliance. At Moses Adasu University, Makurdi, lecture halls were empty and students loitered around campus.
At Nasarawa State University, Keffi, ASUU officials were seen going from one exam hall to another, compelling students to vacate.

Ongoing semester exams at Federal University Dutse, University of Benin, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and University of Jos were also disrupted.

Students React

A student at Moses Adasu University, Joseph Adoyi, lamented the disruption to his plans:

“I was hoping to be in 300 level in the next three months, but in Nigerian universities, students propose, ASUU disposes,” he said.

Similarly, Mary Ajegba, a final-year student of Federal University Dutse, said repeated strikes have stalled her graduation:

“If not for ASUU strikes, I should be serving by now. They say it’s two weeks, but we all know it could go longer,” she added.

ASUU, FG Ready to Resume Talks

ASUU President Prof. Piwuna confirmed readiness to resume talks with the Federal Government, revealing that he had been contacted by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, Chairman of the government negotiation team, and the Minister of State for Labour.

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

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has directed Vice-Chancellors to enforce the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy, suspending remuneration for all striking lecturers.

In a circular dated October 13, 2025, signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the government instructed universities to stop payment to lecturers participating in the strike, pending resolution of the dispute.

Nigeria’s university system now faces yet another round of academic disruption, leaving students anxious and the government under pressure to avert another prolonged shutdown.