ASUU begins warning strike as ultimatum to FG expires

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to commence a two-week comprehensive nationwide strike beginning Monday, October 13, 2025, following the expiration of its ultimatum to the Federal Government.

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, made the announcement on Sunday during a press briefing held at the University of Abuja, where he stated that the union’s decision followed the government’s continued failure to meet its long-standing demands.

Two weeks earlier, ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) and various chapters had issued a final ultimatum to the government, warning that a strike would be inevitable if urgent steps were not taken. A week into the ultimatum, the union noted that there had been no meaningful engagement or progress from the government’s side.

“It is regrettable to note that nothing significant has happened to change the position of NEC since we last briefed the press,” Prof. Piwuna said. “Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, 13 October 2025.”

He emphasized that the warning strike would be “total and comprehensive,” reaffirming the union’s commitment to its resolution.

This marks ASUU’s first nationwide strike since 2022, and the first under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The last major strike, in 2022, lasted for eight months before it was suspended following an industrial court order secured by the then Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige.