The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its two-week warning strike after what it described as “useful engagements” with the Federal Government on the long-standing 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement.
The union’s National Executive Council (NEC) took the decision after a marathon meeting that lasted through the night and ended at about 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, ASUU President, Dr. Chris Piwuna, said the suspension was a gesture of goodwill and in recognition of efforts made by “well-meaning Nigerians” — including students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) — to resolve the crisis.
“We have decided to suspend the warning strike to reciprocate the genuine interventions of Nigerians who have stood with us,” Piwuna said.
“There have been useful engagements with government representatives on the draft renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. We are no longer where we were before the strike began, though a lot more work still needs to be done.”
ASUU had commenced the warning strike on October 13, citing dissatisfaction with the government’s response to its demands.
The union’s key demands include: conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement; release of withheld salaries and promotion arrears spanning over four years; sustainable funding for the revitalisation of public universities; payment of 25–35% salary arrears; and release of withheld third-party deductions, including cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
ASUU also demanded an end to what it called the “victimisation of lecturers” in the Lagos State University (LASU), Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
Piwuna noted that although the union remains cautious, it recognises the government’s return to the negotiation table as a “positive signal.”
“Our decision to suspend this action is not a declaration of victory,” he added. “It is a tactical step to give dialogue another chance. But let no one think ASUU will hesitate to act again if these commitments are not fulfilled.”
The warning strike, which disrupted academic activities in federal and some state universities for two weeks, was part of ASUU’s ongoing pressure to compel the Federal Government to honour the terms of the 2009 agreement — a document that has been at the centre of multiple industrial disputes for over a decade.
Observers say the suspension offers temporary relief for students and parents but also renews public scrutiny of the government’s handling of tertiary education funding.
As at the time of filing this report, neither the Ministry of Education nor the Office of the Minister of Labour had issued an official statement on ASUU’s latest decision.
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