The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed deep disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to fulfill its promises following the suspension of its two-week warning strike.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the University of Jos branch chairman, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, the union accused the government of reneging on key commitments made during negotiations that led to the suspension of the industrial action.
ASUU had in October embarked on a comprehensive two-week warning strike, which commenced on Monday, October 13, to press for the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of three and a half months’ withheld salaries, release of revitalisation funds, and sustainable financing of public universities, among other demands.
However, midway through the strike, the union suspended the action after an emergency meeting between government officials and ASUU leaders. The decision, announced by ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, followed assurances from the government to address the outstanding issues.
Despite this, Prof. Molwus lamented that there has been “no tangible progress” since the suspension, noting that government promises have not translated into action.
“We expect that some of the outstanding entitlements, such as 3.5 months of withheld salaries, 25/35% wage award arrears, promotion arrears, and unpaid salaries of some members, would have been paid by now.
But all we get are press releases from the Honourable Minister of Education. What we need are credit alerts, not media statements,” he said.
Molwus also faulted the lack of transparency surrounding recent financial releases purportedly made by the Federal Government.
“It is unfortunate that even the ₦50 billion revitalisation fund reportedly released weeks ago has yet to reach any university.
Again, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, claimed that ₦2.3 billion was released to clear salary and promotion arrears in federal universities. But as we speak, university workers have received nothing,” he stated.
The ASUU branch chairman urged the Ministry of Education to clarify how the released funds would be distributed and called for stronger coordination with the Ministry of State for Education to resolve the lingering issues.
Molwus appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the education sector and personally intervene to ensure all pending disputes between the government and university unions are resolved amicably.
He further called on students, parents, and the media to hold the government accountable and demand urgent action before the union’s patience runs out.
“ASUU has given the Federal Government a deadline of November 21, 2025, to meet its demands. Failure to do so may compel us to resume the suspended strike,” Molwus warned.
He added that the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for November 8–9, 2025, would review the government’s response and decide the next line of action.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the strike was only suspended — not called off — as a mark of respect and goodwill in collective bargaining. We expect the government to reciprocate by addressing our demands without further delay,” he said.