The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced the suspension of its ongoing two-week warning strike, following deliberations at an overnight National Executive Council (NEC) meeting that ended at 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
The National President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja, noting that the decision was reached after extensive discussions on the progress made in talks with the Federal Government.
Piwuna explained that the strike was initially declared due to the government’s delay in meeting the union’s longstanding demands, but recent engagements had shown some signs of commitment on the part of the authorities.
“We’ve had useful engagements with representatives of the government to consider the response to the draft renegotiation of the 2009 agreements. However, we are definitely not where we were prior to the commencement of the strike,” Piwuna stated.
He added that the union acknowledged the government’s return to the negotiation table, and while there was still more work to be done, the NEC resolved to review the strike as a show of goodwill.
“The decision to review the strike action was a result of efforts by our students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Consequently, NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike to reciprocate the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians,” he said.
ASUU had earlier declared the warning strike beginning Monday, October 13, to protest the government’s inaction on several key issues.
The union’s demands include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, release of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities, and an end to the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
Other demands cover the payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld third-party deductions, including cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
