The Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) has disclosed that it will commence a two-week warning strike on Monday October 13, barring any last-minute change in plan.
This move comes after the union’s two-week deadline for the Federal Government to satisfy its unfulfilled demands expired.
According to reports, the Federal Government has not yet made any public remarks regarding the impending industrial action, despite the deadline ending on Sunday night.
Recall that ASUU had ordered its branches to prepare for a warning strike.
Despite ongoing efforts to prevent another round of strike action in the country’s higher institutions, the union and the Federal Government are embroiled in their most recent dispute.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, disclosed on Wednesday that the government has reached the last stage of negotiations with ASUU and other unions to settle outstanding issues over funding, welfare, and the execution of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
The Minister also revealed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had already made great strides by releasing N50 billion for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, and that an additional N150 billion had been included in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, which would be distributed in three installments.
“They (lecturers) deserve to be paid well, and our academic and non-academic staff deserve improved welfare. But we can’t give everything at once. What matters is our sincerity and commitment to substantial improvements in their conditions,” Alausa had said.
Prof. Chris Piwuna, the president of ASUU, however, criticised the Ministry of Education for what he described as its persistent failure to address important problems impacting university instructors.
“Their ultimatum expires on Sunday, and after that, there will be a warning strike unless something substantial comes out from the government. So, in the next 48 hours, we expect to receive something substantial from the government.
“Then, we can go back to our members and ask, ‘Do you think this is sufficient for us to hold on?’ And we will do what our members ask us to do,” he said.
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