ASUU Suspends Two-Week Warning Strike After Overnight NEC Meeting
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially suspended its ongoing two-week warning strike following a decisive meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC), which ended early Wednesday morning in Abuja.
According to the National President of ASUU, Professor Chris Piwuna, the decision was reached after hours of deliberation that extended into the early hours of Wednesday, concluding around 4:00 a.m. He stated that the union considered several factors, including recent engagements with the Federal Government and interventions by various stakeholders across the education sector.
Government’s Response and Union’s Position
Professor Piwuna, while addressing journalists during a press briefing monitored by Akahi News, explained that the union’s action stemmed from the government’s failure to meet its long-standing demands within the agreed timeframe.
“We’ve had useful engagements with representatives of the government to consider the response to the draft renegotiation of the 2009 agreements. However, we are definitely not where we were prior to the commencement of the strike,” he said.
The ASUU leader noted that the government’s willingness to return to the negotiation table, coupled with the intervention of concerned Nigerians, influenced NEC’s decision to suspend the warning strike.
Role of Stakeholders and Public Pressure
In his remarks, Piwuna highlighted that the union’s decision was largely motivated by the collective efforts of students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who called for an amicable resolution.
“The union acknowledged that the government returned to the negotiation table. While noting that a lot more work is still required, NEC came to the conclusion that the ongoing strike should be reviewed. The decision to review the strike action was a result of efforts by our students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress,” he said.
ASUU’s move to suspend the strike, according to reports gathered by Akahi News, is viewed as a goodwill gesture aimed at allowing for continued dialogue with the Federal Government on key issues affecting the nation’s universities.
What Lies Ahead for Nigerian Universities
Observers who spoke to Akahi News noted that the temporary suspension offers a crucial opportunity for both parties to demonstrate commitment to resolving the root causes of industrial unrest in the education sector. They urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to prevent a repeat of the prolonged strikes that have, over the years, disrupted the academic calendar of public universities.
Meanwhile, ASUU has warned that while the strike has been suspended, the union remains vigilant and will not hesitate to resume industrial action should the government fail to meet its commitments.
Background
ASUU had embarked on the two-week warning strike to press for the implementation of key components of its 2009 agreement with the Federal Government, including improved funding for public universities, earned academic allowances, and better working conditions for lecturers.
With the strike now suspended, academic activities across public universities are expected to resume immediately, as students and staff prepare to return to campuses.
For continuous updates on ASUU, education reforms, and national developments, stay connected with Akahi News — your trusted platform for verified Nigerian news.
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