By Peter Dansu The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its ongoing two-week warning strike following a marathon Nati...
By Peter Dansu
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its ongoing two-week warning strike following a marathon National Executive Council (NEC) meeting that stretched into the early hours of Wednesday in Abuja.
Announcing the decision at a press briefing, ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said the union decided to suspend the strike after “useful engagements” with representatives of the Federal Government on issues surrounding the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.
According to Piwuna, the NEC meeting, which ended around 4:00 a.m., reviewed the progress made since the strike began and noted that while the union’s demands have not been fully met, there have been signs of genuine commitment from the government.
“We’ve had constructive discussions with government officials, and although we’re not yet where we want to be, there has been notable progress compared to when the strike commenced,” Piwuna said. “In recognition of the efforts made by students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike as a gesture of goodwill to well-meaning Nigerians.”
He, however, warned that the union would not hesitate to resume industrial action if the government fails to fulfill its promises.
ASUU had declared the two-week warning strike on Monday, October 13, to press for several unresolved issues, including the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, improved funding and revitalisation of public universities, and an end to the victimisation of lecturers at LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
Other demands include payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
Piwuna reaffirmed ASUU’s commitment to advocating for the revitalisation of Nigeria’s public universities and the welfare of its members, stressing that the suspension of the strike should not be mistaken for complacency.
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