The Federal Government has maintained that there is no justification for the ongoing two-week warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), insisting that all the union’s demands have been addressed.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, made this known on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he appealed to the lecturers to return to work.
“We have addressed every single request by ASUU. There is no need for this strike, and we are pleading with them to go back to school. We need to keep our children in school,” Alausa said.
He explained that contrary to ASUU’s claims, the government had responded promptly and positively to all issues raised by the union, including earned academic allowances, needs assessment funds, and promotion arrears.
“The arrears of their earned academic allowance, we have paid ₦50 billion. The president swiftly approved that payment months ago. The arrears have now been mainstreamed as part of their salaries, meaning there will never be arrears again,” he stated.
The minister added that postgraduate supervision allowances had also been resolved, as institutions were now responsible for payments, while promotion arrears would be captured in the 2026 appropriation budget.
Alausa disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved ₦150 billion in the 2026 budget for tertiary institution infrastructure, with ₦50 billion already released and deposited in the needs assessment account.
“The first tranche of ₦50 billion is sitting in the account now. For us not to dispose of money, it’s ASUU that is holding those disbursements,” he added.
He also noted that the government had earmarked ₦683 billion for tertiary infrastructure in the 2025 budget to rehabilitate hostels, laboratories, workshops and lecture theatres nationwide.
However, the latest strike follows a series of developments in the union’s negotiations with the government.
ASUU had on September 28, 2025, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement outstanding agreements, including the release of needs assessment funds, settlement of earned allowances, and review of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement.
Despite an appeal from the Federal Government on October 9, 2025, urging ASUU to shelve its planned strike, the union declared a two-week total and comprehensive warning strike on Sunday.
The union’s national president, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the decision at a press conference held at the University of Abuja, saying the strike followed the expiration of the 14-day notice without any substantial government response.
“Compatriots of the press, there is nothing sufficient on the ground to stop the implementation of ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike. All branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, 13th October, 2025,” Piwuna stated.
He accused the government of insincerity, alleging that past promises remained unfulfilled despite several meetings and assurances.
Reacting, Alausa dismissed the claims, describing the strike as predetermined despite the government’s goodwill.
“We’ve literally addressed every single issue that ASUU requested. I am pleading with ASUU again to shelve this strike. There’s literally no need for this strike,” he said.
The minister reassured students and parents that the Tinubu administration remained committed to ensuring stability and uninterrupted academic activities across Nigerian universities.
