The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced the suspension of its two-week warning strike, 10 days after it began, following what the union described as “fruitful engagements” with representatives of the Federal Government.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, directing all members to resume work on Thursday.
He explained that the decision was reached after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held between 21 and 22 October, where the union reviewed the outcome of recent negotiations with the government.
“NEC resolved that a one-month window should be given to the government to conclude the ongoing renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement and fully address other outstanding issues,” Piwuna said.
He added that ASUU expects the government to utilize this opportunity to ensure industrial harmony and the stability of the academic calendar. The union, however, warned that it would resume the suspended strike if the government fails to meet the set conditions within the next one month.
ASUU had embarked on the warning strike on Monday, 13 October, over the Federal Government’s failure to meet several long-standing demands. The government responded with a “No Work, No Pay” directive, ordering university vice-chancellors to document staff who were absent from duty.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, accused ASUU of refusing to negotiate in good faith, while the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) criticized the government’s stance, blaming it for neglecting public universities and breaching previous agreements.
Piwuna noted that the strike succeeded in pushing the government back to the negotiation table after nearly a year of failed talks. He confirmed that ASUU met with the Yayale Ahmed-led government team on 16 and 18 October to discuss the Draft Renegotiated 2009 Agreement and that further meetings had been scheduled.
“We certainly have not achieved the twin objectives of concluding the renegotiation and resolving all lingering issues,” Piwuna stated, “but we are not where we were before the strike began.”
The ASUU president also acknowledged the interventions of the Senate Committees on Tertiary Education, TETFund, and Labour, as well as the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, describing their efforts as “promising.”
The unresolved issues include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, payment of withheld salaries, sustainable funding for universities, revitalisation of tertiary institutions, and payment of promotion and salary arrears.
ASUU also insists on the release of withheld cooperative contributions and the restoration of university autonomy, which it argues has been undermined by the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
The 2009 agreement, signed over a decade ago, set out academic staff conditions of service, salary structures, and a five-year funding plan of N1.2 trillion for universities. However, only N200 billion has been released so far, prompting recurring disputes between ASUU and the government.
According to a 9am News report, ASUU’s decision to suspend its strike provides temporary relief for students and university staff nationwide, though uncertainty still surrounds the government’s ability to meet the union’s fresh one-month deadline.
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