After a period of relative calm in Nigeria's university system, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Sunday declared a two week warning strike in public universities. The union cited the Federal Government's reluctance to meet their long standing demands as the reason for the action.

The warning strike, which is set to commence at midnight on Sunday, was announced by the National President of the union, Professor Chris Piwuna, while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

However, a rival academic staff union in the university system, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), immediately stated that its members would remain at work, asserting there was no justifiable reason for them to embark on a strike. The National President of CONUA, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, made this declaration in a chat with one of our correspondents on Sunday.

Declaring ASUU's firm position, Professor Piwuna said the action became necessary because the Federal Government failed to meet the union's demands even after a 14 day ultimatum they had issued earlier had lapsed.

He warned that should the government still fail to act after the two week warning strike, the union would proceed on a total and comprehensive strike. Professor Piwuna explained that the current action is aimed at drawing attention to the government's persistent refusal to implement agreements and address critical issues plaguing Nigerian universities.

"It is regrettable to note that nothing significant has happened since our last briefing on the eight issues in dispute," he said.

The unresolved issues include the conclusion and signing of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement; payment of withheld three-and-a-half months' salaries; sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities; and an end to the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and FUTO.

Others are the settlement of outstanding 25-35 per cent salary arrears; payment of promotion arrears spanning over four years; and release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union dues.

Professor Piwuna noted that despite several appeals and assurances from government officials, including a letter dated September 30, 2025, from the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, nothing tangible had been achieved.

He disclosed that the outcome of an emergency meeting of the FGN/ASUU 2009 Agreement Renegotiation Committee held on October 10 was disappointing, describing the documents presented by the government as "provocative and inconsistent" with previous drafts.

"The hurriedly packaged documents were a total departure from the spirit of the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiated agreement and incapable of dousing industrial tension across campuses," the ASUU president said.

ASUU accused the government of bad faith and deliberate delay tactics, lamenting that months of negotiation had yielded no results.

"It is a betrayal of historic responsibility if we continue to fall for the government's deception and manipulation," Piwuna declared. "What is needed is the fundamental transformation of our university system, not token promises," he said.

The union appealed for understanding from students, parents, and the public, stressing that its struggle was aimed at saving Nigeria's university system from collapse.

"We invite patriotic Nigerians, workers, media practitioners, and civil society activists to join ASUU in this transformational mission," the statement added.

"ASUU's National Executive Council (NEC) has directed all its branches nationwide to withdraw their services effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025," he insisted.