ASUU strike suspension follows NEC meeting and government engagement, with lecturers halting the two-week warning strike to allow negotiations to continue

ASUU strike suspension has brought a temporary end to the union’s two-week warning strike, following a decisive meeting of the National Executive Council held overnight in Abuja.

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The announcement was made on Wednesday morning by the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, during a press briefing in the capital.

He confirmed that the strike was suspended as a gesture of goodwill, in response to renewed talks with the government and strong advocacy from students, parents, and civil society.

ASUU embarked on the warning strike on Monday, October 13, citing the federal government’s failure to meet longstanding demands.

These include the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, release of three and a half months’ withheld salaries, and revitalisation funding for public universities.

Piwuna acknowledged that while the government had returned to the negotiation table, progress remained incomplete.

“We’ve had useful engagements with representatives of the government,” he said. “However, we are definitely not where we were prior to the commencement of the strike.”

The union also called attention to unresolved issues such as the payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the cessation of lecturer victimisation in institutions like LASU, FUTO, and Prince Abubakar Audu University.

ASUU further demanded the release of withheld third-party deductions, including cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.

Despite these unresolved matters, the ASUU strike suspension was framed as a reciprocation of efforts made by well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders who urged dialogue over confrontation.

“NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike to reciprocate the efforts of our students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress,” Piwuna added.

While the suspension signals a positive shift in the impasse, ASUU made it clear that much remains to be addressed before full normalcy returns to public universities.

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The union urged the government to match rhetoric with action, warning that future disruptions remain possible should negotiations stall again.