FG Enters Emergency Talks With ASUU as Possible Strike Looms

FG Enters Emergency Talks With ASUU as Possible Strike Looms

The Federal Government has scheduled a fresh round of high-level negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in a last-minute effort to prevent another nationwide university strike.

The meetings, convened by the Yayale Ahmed Renegotiation Committee, are set to hold on Monday, November 24, 2025, and Tuesday, November 25, 2025, according to reliable sources within ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC).

However, the union says it will still convene its own NEC meeting immediately after the government’s sessions to decide whether to shut down public universities—depending on the outcome of the discussions.

ASUU Accuses Federal Government of Delay Tactics

A senior NEC member, who spoke anonymously, accused the government of deliberately stalling.

“They have convened a meeting for Monday and Tuesday. I believe it’s delay tactics. They are trying to delay us from taking action. After their meeting, we will hold a NEC meeting to decide the next line of action,”
the ASUU official stated.

The union’s one-month ultimatum—issued after it suspended a two-week warning strike on October 22—expired on Saturday, raising fears that a strike could be declared at any moment.

ASUU’s Key Demands Yet to Be Fully Addressed

ASUU insists that the Federal Government must meet several unresolved demands, including:

• Review and implementation of the 2009 ASUU–FG Agreement
• Payment of outstanding salaries and earned academic allowances
• Release of the university revitalisation fund
• Improved welfare and working conditions for lecturers

The union had warned that failure to act within the one-month window would result in immediate industrial action “without further notice.”

FG Claims It Has Met the Union’s Demands

In contrast, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, insists that the Federal Government has addressed virtually all the issues raised by the union.

Two weeks ago, he stated:

“The President has said he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure students stay in school.
We’re talking to them; we’ve met literally all their requirements.”

He added that he had briefed President Bola Tinubu on the status of negotiations and was seeking additional concessions to ensure a peaceful resolution.

What Happens Next?

ASUU’s next NEC meeting will determine the union’s final decision—strike or no strike.

With millions of students potentially affected, all eyes are on the outcome of the Federal Government’s Monday and Tuesday meetings.

If negotiations fail again, Nigeria’s public universities could be plunged into yet another round of academic disruption.

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