The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially suspended its two-week warning strike.
ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the suspension during a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to Piwuna, the decision followed an extensive meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC), which began on Tuesday and concluded around 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
He explained that the strike was initially declared due to the government’s delay in addressing the union’s long-standing demands.
“We’ve held productive discussions with government representatives regarding the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. Although significant progress has been made, there is still more work to be done,” Piwuna stated.
The ASUU leader added that the government’s decision to return to the negotiation table, alongside efforts from students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), influenced the NEC’s resolution to suspend the strike.
“In appreciation of the interventions from well-meaning Nigerians, NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike,” he added.
ASUU had commenced the two-week warning strike on Monday, October 13, to press for several demands. These include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of three and a half months of withheld salaries, improved and sustainable funding for public universities, and the revitalisation of tertiary institutions.
The union is also demanding an end to the alleged victimisation of its members at Lagos State University (LASU), Prince Abubakar Audu University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). Other demands include the payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears exceeding four years, and the release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative and union dues.
