ASUU Issues 14-Day Ultimatum, Threatens Nationwide Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to close all public universities if the Federal Government does not act on its demands within the next two weeks

The union announced the ultimatum in a statement on Monday after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the University of Abuja.

It faulted the government of neglecting the nation’s universities and failing to address the welfare of academic staff.

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said the government has ignored critical issues affecting universities despite repeated efforts by the union to draw attention through protests. He warned that lecturers will begin with a two-week warning strike at the end of the ultimatum and could extend it to a total shutdown if nothing changes.

The union listed its demands to include: the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, better funding and revitalisation of public universities, and an end to the alleged victimisation of ASUU members at Lagos State University (LASU), Prince Abubakar Audu University in Kogi, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

It also called for the payment of outstanding salary arrears of 25–35 percent, clearance of long-delayed promotion arrears, and settlement of withheld third-party deductions.