The ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has continued to gain momentum across the country as more universities officially join the two-week warning strike. The latest institutions to comply include the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA).
Their participation adds to the growing list of federal and state universities shutting down academic activities in solidarity with the union’s national directive.
Nationwide Strike Gains Force
The nationwide warning strike, which commenced on October 13, 2025, was declared by ASUU’s National Executive Council to press home long-standing demands concerning university funding, salary arrears, earned academic allowances, revitalization funds, and the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FG agreement.
The union stated that the two-week strike is a “total and comprehensive” one, meaning no teaching, supervision, examination, or departmental duties should be carried out until further notice.
Following the announcement, several universities swiftly complied, grounding lectures and administrative operations across their campuses.
TASUED, OOU, and FUNAAB Chapters Confirm Compliance
At the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), the ASUU Chapter Chairman, Dr. Adewale Ositoye, confirmed that lecturers have fully joined the strike in compliance with the directive of the union’s national leadership. He emphasized that the decision was unanimous among members and aimed at compelling the Federal Government to fulfill its promises to the education sector.
Similarly, at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), the chapter of the union announced the suspension of all academic activities, stressing that the strike was a collective struggle for better funding, improved welfare, and the revitalization of public universities.
In FUNAAB, the ASUU Chairman, Dr. Ola Oyedele, reiterated that the institution’s academic staff were fully participating in the nationwide strike. He declined further comments, noting that all communications on the matter should be routed through the national ASUU body.
FUTMINNA Joins In, Academic Activities Grounded
Reports from Minna, Niger State, confirm that the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) has also joined the ongoing industrial action.
According to Professor Lukeman Iyewobi, the ASUU Chairman of the university, all members have suspended teaching and research activities in line with the national directive. He stated that “FUTMINNA has fully complied with the union’s decision. All academic activities have been put on hold as we stand in solidarity with ASUU’s nationwide struggle.”
Students who spoke on campus expressed mixed feelings — while some supported the union’s demand for better working conditions, others lamented that the strike would again delay academic calendars and graduation timelines.
A 400-level student of Mechanical Engineering described the situation as “frustrating,” noting that the repeated disruptions make planning academic progress difficult. Another student in the School of Environmental Technology said, “We understand the reasons behind the strike, but the effect on us is enormous — many of us will now graduate later than scheduled.”
Government’s Response: Directives to Vice-Chancellors
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has directed Vice-Chancellors of federal universities to submit attendance and compliance reports, to monitor the extent of participation in the strike.
The government also reiterated its stance on the “no work, no pay” policy, warning that lecturers who fail to report for duty will not receive salaries for the period of industrial action.
This directive, however, has sparked further tension between ASUU and the Federal Government. The union insists that such a policy is a deliberate attempt to intimidate its members and weaken the struggle for improved university funding.
Students and Parents React Nationwide
Across the country, parents and students have expressed deep concern about the ripple effects of the strike. The suspension of lectures, examinations, and research projects means that academic calendars will once again be extended.
Many undergraduates lamented that they have barely recovered from the previous disruptions caused by earlier strikes and now face renewed uncertainty about their academic future.
Some student leaders, particularly from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), have called on the Federal Government and ASUU to urgently return to the negotiation table to avoid further harm to the education system.
ASUU’s Stand and the Road Ahead
ASUU maintains that its demands are not new and that several promises made by the Federal Government remain unfulfilled, especially concerning the revitalization of university infrastructure and the payment of outstanding allowances.
Union officials have made it clear that if the government fails to respond meaningfully within the two-week period, the union may convene another National Executive Council meeting to decide on further actions, possibly escalating the strike.
This possibility has raised fears that the temporary warning strike could evolve into an indefinite one — a move that would paralyze Nigeria’s higher education system once again.
Implications for Nigeria’s University System
With more institutions like TASUED, OOU, FUNAAB, and FUTMINNA joining, the strike’s impact is now being felt nationwide. Academic schedules have been halted, examinations postponed, and research activities suspended.
Observers warn that unless swift intervention occurs, the strike could deepen the crisis in Nigeria’s public universities, widen the learning gap between public and private institutions, and worsen brain drain as frustrated lecturers seek opportunities abroad.
