The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared there will be no retreat on its planned two-week nationwide warning strike if the Federal Government fails to respond to its demands before October 13. The union insists the decision follows years of unfulfilled promises, unresolved negotiations, and government inaction over the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, made the announcement on Monday at an Orientation and Leadership Training themed “Understanding the Principles of the Union” at the ASUU branch of Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State. He emphasized that the union’s decision was final, saying, “The warning strike has been issued and we are not meeting to discuss that again as a union because our position has been taken.”
Ultimatum Nears Expiry
Piwuna reiterated that the strike would commence by midnight on Monday, October 13, if the government fails to act. He warned that at the end of the two-week warning strike, the union would reconvene to determine when to begin an indefinite and comprehensive industrial action.
He explained that the union’s grievances are not new but stem from the government’s failure to honor commitments reached in the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. “The issues still remain the same, re-negotiation of our 2009 documents is still lingering over the years, and we want Nigerians to know that we have been talking and the strike action is coming after several years of negotiations,” Piwuna said.
Years of Unfulfilled Promises
ASUU maintains that its patience with the Federal Government has worn thin, accusing it of deliberately delaying meaningful engagement. “We have given the government enough time on this particular issue; just imagine they gave us three weeks to get back to them and never did till this moment,” Piwuna stated, adding that the union’s actions are a reaction to government neglect.
He appealed to Nigerians to view ASUU’s planned action not as disruption but as a legitimate defense of public education. “Nigerians must always look at the actions of the government that have always pushed us to such actions,” he said.
Concerns Over Student Loan Scheme
Addressing the newly introduced Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Piwuna criticized the government’s approach, arguing that loans are unsuitable in a depressed economy. “We have told the government that we do not support loans in such a depressed economy,” he said.
He questioned how unemployed graduates or struggling families could repay student loans in a country battling high inflation and joblessness. “If they truly want to give them money, they should come out clean. Where are the jobs that will enable them to repay the loans? If the money is meant to make the universities run better, they should be given as grants, not loans,” he stated.
NELFUND’s Spending Raises Eyebrows
Piwuna also expressed concern over alleged financial mismanagement within NELFUND, citing reports of excessive spending. “Recently, some of the reports coming from NELFUND make us think we are right, when an organisation that is less than a year old and has less than a hundred staff is spending N14 billion on personnel,” he said.
He added that such figures are unjustifiable compared to established universities with thousands of staff. “Even this university that has over 1,000 staff can’t spend that amount in a year, including building of structures,” he noted, warning that mismanagement in new government institutions undermines public confidence.
Union Integrity and Institutional Collaboration
ASUU National Financial Secretary, Happiness Uduk, reaffirmed that ASUU remains “a union of intellectuals with integrity,” urging members to uphold transparency, accountability, and honesty in their dealings. She emphasized that credibility among members strengthens the union’s moral authority in its negotiations.
Ezekiel Agbalagba, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Delta State, also urged ASUU members to remain guided by the principles outlined by former union president, Festus Iyayi. He said collaboration and understanding of union dynamics are vital to achieving academic excellence and institutional reform.
Call for Continued Engagement and Training
Vice Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Allen Agih, commended the ASUU leadership for organizing the training session and encouraged that such capacity-building exercises become regular. “It should be a frequent thing because of its importance,” he remarked.
ASUU NDU Branch Chairperson, Lucky Bebeteidoh, also thanked the ASUU President for attending despite his busy schedule, expressing confidence that the deliberations would strengthen solidarity within the union.
ASUU’s Patience Runs Thin
With the October 13 deadline approaching, all eyes are on the Federal Government to prevent another disruption of academic activities. ASUU’s position underscores a deepening frustration over unfulfilled promises, inadequate funding, and policy missteps in higher education.
Unless urgent action is taken, the country may be heading toward yet another nationwide shutdown of its public universities, an all-too-familiar scene in Nigeria’s education sector.
