The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that it will begin a two-week nationwide warning strike if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands before the October 13 deadline.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, made this known during an orientation and leadership training for members of the union at the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State.
He said the union’s decision on the warning strike was final and would not change unless the Federal Government acts fast.
“The warning strike has been issued and we are not meeting to discuss that again as a union because our position has been taken, and by midnight of Monday we will embark on a two weeks warning strike,” Piwuna said.
He added that after the warning strike, the union would meet again to decide on an indefinite industrial action.
Lingering Issues with the Government
According to Piwuna, the strike is coming after years of failed negotiations. “The issues still remain the same. Re-negotiation of our 2009 agreement is still lingering over the years,” he said, blaming the government for ignoring their demands despite a three-week window to respond.
He accused the government of consistently pushing ASUU into strike actions, saying the union had exercised patience and restraint for too long.
Piwuna also criticised the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying the union does not support student loans in the current economic situation.
“We have told government that we do not support loans in such a depressed economy. Families can’t feed, unemployment is high — so where will they get money to repay?” he said.
He argued that if the government truly wanted to support education, it should fund universities through grants rather than loans. Piwuna cited reports alleging that NELFUND spent ₦14 billion on personnel costs within its first year despite having fewer than 100 staff.
During the training, ASUU’s National Financial Secretary, Happiness Uduk, reminded members to uphold the union’s principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba, called for unity among ASUU members to achieve excellence in education.
The Vice Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Prof. Allen Agih, commended the workshop organisers and urged that such capacity-building sessions be held more frequently.
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