Sixteen Universities Join ASUU’s Two-Week Warning Strike as Dispute With Federal Government Deepens

At least sixteen universities across Nigeria have joined the two-week nationwide warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), following the union’s renewed face-off with the Federal Government over unmet commitments and unfulfilled agreements.

The industrial action, which began at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, October 13, 2025, has paralysed academic activities in several institutions across the country. It marks yet another chapter in the long-running tussle between Nigerian university lecturers and the government over issues of funding, welfare, and autonomy.

The universities currently observing the strike include Kwara State University (KWASU), University of Benin (UNIBEN), Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), University of Calabar (UNICAL), Federal University Dutse (FUD), Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), University of Jos (UNIJOS), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Bayero University Kano (BUK), University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

According to ASUU’s national leadership, the strike aims to draw the government’s attention to what it described as “the continued neglect of the education sector.” The union accused the Federal Government of failing to implement previous agreements on university revitalisation funds, payment of earned academic allowances, and the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FG Agreement.

Sources within the union revealed that the decision to embark on the strike was reached after an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) in Abuja, where members unanimously voted for the two-week warning action. ASUU leadership also warned that if the government continues to display “nonchalance,” the strike could escalate into a total, indefinite shutdown of universities.

A lecturer at the University of Ibadan, who preferred not to be named, said the action was long overdue. “We have been patient for too long. Our facilities are deteriorating, salaries are irregular, and funding is inadequate. This warning strike is a signal that our tolerance has reached its limit,” the lecturer said.

Similarly, Dr. Emmanuel Osahon, ASUU Chairman at the University of Benin, described the strike as “a necessary move to wake up the government.” He lamented that the Federal Government’s approach to higher education remains disappointing, adding, “Every agreement ends in a cycle of neglect. The system is collapsing, and lecturers are overworked and underpaid.”

However, a senior official of the Federal Ministry of Education, who requested anonymity, described the strike as “unfortunate but unnecessary.” The official maintained that the government was already making efforts to address ASUU’s grievances through ongoing consultations. “Dialogue is still open. We appeal to the union to call off the strike in the interest of students,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the industrial action has drawn mixed reactions from students. While some expressed frustration over another disruption to their studies, others voiced solidarity with the lecturers. “Every time there’s progress, ASUU goes on strike. We are tired of being the victims of government and union disagreements,” said Ifeoluwa Adebayo, a 400-level student at Obafemi Awolowo University.

A review of ASUU’s strike history since 1999 reveals a recurring pattern of industrial unrest. Major strikes have occurred in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2022, with durations ranging from one month to nine months. The 2020 strike remains the longest in ASUU’s history, lasting nine months over disagreements about the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and issues of university autonomy.