The Federal Government on Monday appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its ongoing two-week warning strike, insisting that all of the union’s demands have been addressed.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the strike was unnecessary and urged ASUU to reconsider its position in the interest of students and parents.
“We’ve literally addressed every single issue ASUU requested,” Alausa said. “There’s no reason for this strike. We are pleading with the union to return to the classrooms.”
ASUU had on Sunday announced a total and comprehensive two-week warning strike across public universities, citing the government’s failure to meet key demands including the full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, unpaid salary arrears, and revitalisation funds for universities.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said there was “nothing sufficient on ground” to stop the strike after the expiration of a 14-day notice issued in September.
But the Minister countered the claims, stating that the Tinubu administration has taken significant steps, including the release of N50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances and budgeting N683 billion in the 2025 budget to upgrade infrastructure in tertiary institutions.
He also revealed that the government had submitted a formal counter-proposal to the union during ongoing negotiations, which ASUU rejected.
“We had hoped for continued dialogue. But from the look of things, ASUU seemed determined to strike regardless of government efforts,” Alausa added.
He accused the union of delaying the release of the Needs Assessment Fund by insisting that all the funds be directed exclusively to universities, sidelining polytechnics and colleges of education.
On the controversial issue of withheld salaries from previous strikes, the minister reiterated that the government would not pay the full amount, citing existing agreements that only allowed for partial payment.
While acknowledging that some issues—like promotion arrears and third-party deductions—fall under the purview of individual institutions, Alausa maintained that most concerns had already been addressed.
“We are not sitting back. We are doing everything to ensure our children stay in school. I’m again pleading with ASUU — there’s no need for this strike,” he said.
The government’s renewed appeal comes amid mounting concern from students, parents, and education stakeholders who fear a return to prolonged academic disruptions.
The two-week warning strike, which began today, has already halted lectures in many public universities nationwide, with no clear resolution yet in sight.
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