ASUU Nationwide Strike Looms as Talks with FG Collapse
By: Abudu Olalekan
It feels like we’ve been here before.
On Tuesday, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, dropped a huge warning. If the Federal Government doesn’t meet its demands by the end of the month, universities across Nigeria will grind to a halt. Again.
During a news conference in Kano, ASUU’s Kano zonal coordinator, Abdulkadir Muhammad, made it crystal clear.
“Time is running out. If nothing changes, we will resume our nationwide strike.”
You may recall, back in October, ASUU suspended its indefinite strike. Not because problems were solved, but they gave the government one month; an ultimatum. That deadline? It’s looming. November 30th. And right now, progress? Almost invisible.
Muhammad spoke after a meeting with representatives from seven universities;
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,
Bayero University Kano,
Kaduna State University,
Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil,
Federal University Dutse,
Northwest University, Kano, and
Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa.
The meeting followed the ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) gathering held on November 8th and 9th at Taraba State University. The report from that meeting? Frustrating.
“The negotiations are moving slower than a snail,” Muhammad said.
“The government isn’t just slow, they seem unwilling.”
ASUU had suspended the strike in October as an act of goodwill. They wanted to give the FG a fair chance to fulfil the agreements. But that goodwill is evaporating fast.
Muhammad didn’t hold back.
“Let’s be honest. Some people in the government are playing games. They are using dirty tricks to slow things down. Even worse? They are feeding the public the wrong information about where we are in these talks.”
It’s not only Kano raising the alarm.
Down in the Benin zone, Professor Monday Igbafen, the zonal coordinator, also spoke to journalists. His tone was even sharper.
“We can’t ignore it any longer. The government has been deliberately twisting the facts.”
Igbafen accused the Minister of Education, and other senior officials, of being insincere.
“They aren’t interested in fixing our universities. All they care about is looking good on TV. Their behaviour is destroying any chance we had at a quick resolution.”
For years ASUU has been crying out. Lecturers deserve better wages, improved working conditions, and most importantly, universities need better facilities. Without these, the best lecturers keep leaving the country. The so–called brain drain is getting worse every month. The government claims they are working on it. According to ASUU? They aren’t doing anything.
The Kano team highlighted that the Federal Government has still not shown any real commitment to improving lecturer welfare. It’s the same issues that sparked the original strike. Nothing has changed.
“And they have the nerve to tell Nigerians everything is ‘okay’?” Muhammad asked rhetorically.
“It’s a complete joke.”
This isn’t just about money. It’s about respect. It’s about creating an environment where students can actually learn, and lecturers can teach without having to beg for basic amenities.
Students all over Nigeria are holding their breath. If ASUU follows through, it will be the second time this year lectures have stopped. Already, many students have missed months of classes. Parents are losing money, and future graduates are being pushed further away.
Igbafen summed it up perfectly.
“If the government continues to mislead Nigerians and refuse to negotiate in good faith, there is no other option. We will shut down every university in this country.”
So, what needs to happen?
ASUU wants the FG to;
🔹 Stop misinterpreting the facts
🔹 Show genuine commitment
🔹 Begin implementing the agreements that have already been signed
Until then, students should prepare for silence in the lecture halls.
Let’s hope, this time, the government listens before the chalk hits the floor.
