Abuja, Nigeria — The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its nationwide two-week warning strike after reaching a conditional understanding with the Federal Government. The decision followed an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday night.
Announcing the decision in Abuja, ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said the suspension was made in the interest of Nigerian students and the stability of the academic calendar. However, he warned that the union will resume industrial action without notice if the Federal Government fails to fulfill its promises within the one-month grace period.
“Our NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike to allow further dialogue with the government. However, we have not shelved our demands. If after one month the government fails to implement the agreements reached, ASUU will resume the strike action immediately,” Piwuna stated.
The union had on October 13, 2025, embarked on a two-week warning strike to protest the government’s alleged neglect of university funding, unpaid academic allowances, and failure to implement the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement.
According to ASUU, the Federal Government’s slow response to earlier ultimatums forced the union’s hand, as public universities across the country faced deteriorating conditions and unpaid welfare benefits.
The suspension comes after what sources described as “intense negotiations” with government representatives, including commitments to conclude the 2009 agreement review, pay withheld salaries, and release revitalisation funds to universities.
ASUU also said the decision followed appeals from students, parents, civil society groups, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who urged the union to consider the plight of students.
“Our struggle is not just about lecturers but about the survival of public universities. We will continue to engage, but we won’t hesitate to act if the government backtracks,” the ASUU president added.
Meanwhile, students have been directed to return to campuses immediately, as university managements begin plans to readjust academic calendars disrupted by the strike.
Observers believe the next few weeks will determine whether the government’s promises translate into concrete action or if another phase of industrial unrest looms in the education sector.
By Jungle Journalist Media Limited
📎 Read more: ASUU Issues 21-Day Strike Notice To FG Over Pending Demands
🌍 External link: ASUU Suspends Two-Week Strike – The Guardian
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