Nigeria’s public universities were thrown into disarray on Monday as members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began a two-week warning strike following the collapse of fresh talks with the Federal Government.
Declaring the strike in Abuja, ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna said the action was necessitated by government’s failure to honour the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement and unpaid Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).
In swift response, Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa ordered the National Universities Commission (NUC) and all vice-chancellors to enforce the “no work, no pay” policy, conduct headcounts, and submit attendance within seven days.
“We’ve been through this before,” said ASUU’s ABU Zaria chairman, Haruna Jibril. “This isn’t about salaries. It’s about respect for education.”
Students across campuses in Zaria, Sokoto, Akungba, Makurdi, Uyo, Ibadan and Awka confirmed total compliance. Lecture halls were empty, with only small groups of undergraduates seen discussing the standoff.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) backed ASUU, warning that any salary deductions would trigger a nationwide labour response.
“The struggle of ASUU is the struggle of Nigeria’s working class,” NLC President Joe Ajaero declared. “If the government remains unresponsive, the entire labour movement will act.”
Education analysts warn the impasse could further disrupt Nigeria’s fragile academic calendar, especially for final-year students.
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