FG scrambles to stop ASUU strike, sets two-day meeting

The Federal Government, through the Yayale Ahmed Renegotiation Committee, has scheduled meetings for Monday, November 24, and Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The goal is to stop the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) from going on strike.

ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) is also expected to meet soon. After reviewing the outcome of the government’s meetings, the NEC will decide whether the union should begin a strike or not.

A senior NEC member, who spoke anonymously, said the government was using delay tactics.

“They have called for meetings on Monday and Tuesday. I think they are just trying to slow us down. After their meetings, we will hold our NEC meeting and decide what to do next,” the member said.

ASUU’s one-month ultimatum ended on Saturday. The union had earlier suspended its two-week warning strike on October 22, giving the government one month to meet its demands.

ASUU’s main demands include:

Updating the 2009 ASUU–Federal Government agreement

Payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances

Release of the university revitalisation fund

The union warned that it would resume a strike without further notice if the government failed to act within the one-month window.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has insisted that the government has already met most of ASUU’s demands. Speaking to journalists two weeks ago, he said President Bola Tinubu had instructed that no strike should take place in public universities.

Alausa said discussions with ASUU were ongoing and the government was committed to keeping students in school.

“We are talking to them and have met almost all their requests. Negotiations are still on, and I have updated the President about the situation. We will resolve this,” he said.