Muhammad Basheer HotoroThe Federal Government has scheduled meetings with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for Monday, November 24, and Tuesday, November 25, 2025, in a renewed effort to prevent another strike in public universities.
The meetings are being convened by the Yayale Ahmed Renegotiation Committee, following the expiration of ASUU’s one-month ultimatum on Saturday.
A senior member of ASUU’s National Executive Council, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused the government of using delay tactics.
According to the official, the union will convene its own NEC meeting after the government sessions to determine whether to embark on industrial action.
ASUU suspended its two-week warning strike on October 22, giving the government a month to meet key demands. These include the review of the 2009 ASUU–FG agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned academic allowances, and release of funds for university revitalisation.
The union had warned that it would resume strike action without notice if tangible progress was not recorded within the agreed window.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, insists that the government has substantially met ASUU’s demands. Speaking to State House correspondents two weeks earlier, he reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that no strikes should occur in public universities.
Alausa added that negotiations were ongoing and that the administration remained committed to keeping students in school.
“We’re talking to them; we’ve met literally all their requirements. We will resolve this,” the minister said, noting that he had briefed the President on the status of negotiations and sought additional concessions.
ASUU’s NEC is expected to announce its final decision after reviewing the outcome of this week’s meetings with the government.
