The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced a two-week warning strike after its 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government expired yesterday.
ASUU’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the decision at a press briefing in Abuja, stating that all university branches had been directed to withdraw their services from midnight, describing the strike as “otal and comprehensive.
The union accused the government of failing to address key demands, including the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement, release of withheld salaries, sustainable university funding, and payment of arrears and deductions.
Government efforts to avert the strike reportedly failed after ASUU rejected a new proposal it described as inconsistent and provocative.
Reacting to the development, the Federal Government urged ASUU to reconsider its action and warned that no work, no pay policy would be enforced if the strike continued.
The Ministers of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa and Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, maintained that dialogue remained the best path to resolving disputes and assured that the government had made substantial offers addressing welfare and funding concerns.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students appealed to both sides to resume negotiations to prevent further disruptions to academic activities.
In a related development, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics granted the government a six-week window to meet its demands, citing recent progress on allowances and needs assessment interventions.