ASUU Prepares “Mother of All Strikes” Amid Negotiation Tensions

1. Current Standoff and Union’s Resolve

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has escalated its stance, declaring readiness for what it terms the “mother of all strikes” unless the federal government implements the lingering 2009 agreement. The University of Calabar chapter, led by Dr. Peter Ubi, delivered this warning, stating that industrial action will commence once the national ASUU body gives the go-ahead following its August 28 meeting. Core demands include renegotiating the 2009 agreement, securing sustainable funding, fulfilling wage award arrears, revitalizing university infrastructure, and resolving promotion and third-party deduction discrepancies.(Vanguard News, PM News Nigeria)

2. Nationwide Mobilization: From Lagos to FUTA

ASUU members across multiple campuses, including Lagos Zone and FUTA, are already voting in favor of indefinite strike action as protests continue. Lecturers held press conferences citing the absence of enforcement of the 2009 agreement, unpaid allowances, unpaid salaries, and general neglect as justification.(Trending News) Branches including TASUED similarly warned President Tinubu directly: either implement the agreement or face the full brunt of mass industrial action.(Vanguard News)

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3. Federal Government’s Denial and Negotiation Strategy

Amid growing tension, the Federal Government has recently clarified that no agreement with ASUU was ever formally signed—meaning the renegotiated 2009 agreement remains a draft only. This position was asserted by Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, citing a review by the Solicitor-General confirming the absence of executive approval. The government has established a seven-member committee, led by the Permanent Secretary, to craft a counter-proposal to present to ASUU through the Yayale Ahmed-led committee.(The Guardian Nigeria)

4. Crack in Dialogue: ASUU Disowns Federal Meeting

Despite the government’s outreach, ASUU cautioned that it was not formally invited to the scheduled meeting, and union leadership insisted it would not attend what it deemed a unilateral session. ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna reiterated that without proper invitation and agreed agenda, the union is not part of the process.(The Guardian Nigeria)

5. Points of Contention

ASUU’s demands remain anchored to long-standing unresolved issues:

• Renegotiation and implementation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement.
• Sustainable funding and university revitalization efforts.
• Payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), promotion arrears, and three-and-a-half months’ salary arrears.
• Autonomy for universities through dedicated governance reforms.
• Removal of IPPIS in favor of the University Transparency and Accountability System (UTAS) to ensure financial transparency.(Business Elites Africa)

6. Negotiation in Progress Before Deadline

Federal representatives from the Ministries of Education and Labour, the NSIWC, and legal advisors were slated to meet with ASUU to reconcile the revisited agreement. The priority is producing a timeline for signing and phased implementation of the proposals submitted in early 2025, including the updated Yayale Ahmed committee report.(Punch News, Vanguard News)

7. Implications: Cracks Show in Education Sector

The impasse raises serious concerns. A prolonged strike could further erode Nigeria’s already fragile university system, which has suffered months of lost academic time over past years. Parents, students, and stakeholders fear that continued escalation may derail the current academic session.(Business Elites Africa, The Guardian Nigeria)

8. Conclusion: A Last Chance for Peace

The situation is at a critical junction: ASUU’s ultimatum looms, and government responses have oscillated between denial and conditional engagement. Whether dialogue transitions into signed agreements or escalates into a full-scale strike depends on the integrity of upcoming negotiations and tangible commitments. The window to avert disruption is closing—but a timely resolution could restore faith in the academic system.