The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that public universities across Nigeria will be shut down if the Federal Government fails to address its long-standing demands within the next 14 days.
In a statement released on Monday after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the University of Abuja, the union accused the government of consistent neglect of public universities and the welfare of its members.
ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, who signed the statement, said the union had no choice but to issue the ultimatum following the government’s failure to respond meaningfully to recent protests held across various campuses.
“If within the 14 days nothing is done, our members will embark on a two-week warning strike,” Piwuna declared. “If the government still fails to act, we shall have no option but to commence a total and indefinite shutdown of universities nationwide.”
The union’s demands include:
- Renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement
- Sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities
- An end to the alleged victimisation of ASUU members at LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University (Kogi), and FUTO (Owerri)
- Payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears
- Resolution of delayed promotion arrears spanning over four years
- Settlement of outstanding third-party deductions
ASUU maintained that only immediate government action can avert another prolonged disruption to the nation’s university system.
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