The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands or face a fresh round of industrial action that could again cripple academic activities across Nigeria’s public universities.

In a Strike Bulletin signed by ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, and dated October 5, 2025, the union said the decision followed an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) held on September 29, where members reviewed the outcome of a referendum conducted across university branches.

According to the bulletin, ASUU resolved that if the government fails to take “acceptable and satisfactory steps” to address the lingering issues within the 14-day window, the union would embark on a two-week warning strike immediately after the ultimatum expires.

The union disclosed that it had already communicated its resolutions to the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Education and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), but lamented that one week after, there had been “no meaningful development deserving of any consideration.”

ASUU expressed frustration over what it described as an unjustifiable delay in implementing the renegotiated 2009 Agreement and other key demands, which have kept the academic sector in crisis for over eight years.

“The goal of our current action remains principally to compel Government to sign and implement the renegotiated Agreement document, amongst other demands,” the bulletin stated.

Piwuna urged all ASUU members across campuses to begin full mobilisation in preparation for the possible strike, stressing that no member should be left out of the collective struggle to safeguard their welfare and reposition Nigeria’s university system for global competitiveness.

“The days ahead call for mobilisation of every member of our union to ensure unity of purpose. No one should be left out of the struggle,” the ASUU President declared.

He further emphasised that unity remains the union’s greatest strength, warning that disunity only weakens their cause.

“We are strong when we organise, but weakened when we agonise. Our Union has always acted in solidarity as a collective; this action will not be different,” he said.

ASUU also directed its members to take instructions only from their branch chairpersons, urging them to consult zonal coordinators and attend congress meetings regularly for updates on further developments.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has vowed to shutdown public universities across the country if the Federal Government fails to address its demands within the next 14 days.

ASUU in a statement issued on Monday after its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting at the University of Abuja, told the government to address lingering issues affecting the nation’s universities or face a nationwide strike.

The union decried what it described as the Federal Government’s consistent neglect of public universities and the welfare of its members.

ASUU lamented that despite the recent protests across public universities to draw the attention to its pressing demands, the government offered no tangible response.

The statement signed by ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said if the Federal Government fails to respond to the 14-day ultimatum, public university lecturers will first embark on a two-week warning strike.

After the warning strike, the lecturers may proceed on a total and indefinite shutdown of universities nationwide if the demands remain unmet.

The demands include: Renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement; sustainable funding of universities; revitalisation of public universities and an end to the victimisation of ASUU members at the Lagos State University, LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Kogi, and Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO.

Others are payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears; resolution of delayed promotion arrears spanning over four years and settlement of outstanding third-party deductions.

The Sokoto State Government has suspended six school principals over allegations of insubordination and unauthorised collection of fees relating to the Junior Secondary School (JSS) examination results.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Ahmad Ala, announced this in a statement issued by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Iya.

“No principal or school administrator will be allowed to act outside the law or exploit students and parents,” Ala stated.

“Our schools must be governed by accountability, not personal interests,” the professor added.

The commissioner also said that the government would not hesitate to sanction any official found wanting.

The affected principals are from Nana Girls Secondary School, Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Gagi; GDSS, Mana; Giginya Memorial College, Mana Basic Secondary School, and GDSS, Silame.

The principal of GDSS, Silame, was specifically sanctioned for insubordination, according to the statement.

To address the allegations, the commissioner set up a five-member investigative committee headed by a professor, Mustapha Tukur.

Other members include the Executive Secretary of AIEB, the Director of Quality Assurance at MOBSE, the Director of Planning at the Teachers Service Board, and the Director of Quality Assurance at AIEB, who will also serve as the secretary of the committee.

The suspended principals have been directed to hand over all administrative responsibilities to their respective vice principals in charge of administration with immediate effect.

The ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to discipline, transparency, and accountability across public schools in the state.