The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is poised to hold a crucial National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday to determine whether to launch an indefinite nationwide strike. This decision follows the conclusion of a two-day, last-minute renegotiation effort with the Federal Government (FG) committee.
The final talks, which began on Monday and wrapped up today (Tuesday), were a frantic effort by the FG to avert a fresh strike, as ASUU’s one-month ultimatum has already elapsed, raising anxiety across all public universities.
ASUU maintains that the government has been “nonchalant” about its core demands, which include the review of the old FGN/ASUU agreement concerning lecturer salaries, the payment of outstanding allowances, and the release of funds for university revitalisation.
Despite ASUU’s threats, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, insists the government has met “nearly all their requirements,” citing President Bola Tinubu’s directive to prevent a strike at all costs. However, ASUU leadership views the government’s offers as inadequate.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has publicly backed ASUU, warning it will join the academic community in protest if the disputes are not resolved. The outcome of the NEC meeting on Wednesday will determine the fate of academic activities in public universities.
