The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its ongoing two-week warning strike following a marathon meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC), which ended early Wednesday morning in Abuja.
The union’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the decision during a press briefing, saying the suspension was a gesture of goodwill toward ongoing negotiations with the federal government.
“We’ve had useful engagements with representatives of the government to consider the response to the draft renegotiation of the 2009 agreement,” Piwuna stated. “While we are not yet where we want to be, NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike in recognition of the efforts by our students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress.”
He explained that ASUU’s decision followed renewed dialogue with the government, which recently returned to the negotiation table after months of stalemate.
The two-week warning strike, which began on October 13, was called over unresolved issues including the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, non-payment of withheld salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and cases of lecturer victimisation in some institutions.
Other key demands include:
Payment of 25–35% salary arrears and promotion arrears spanning over four years.
Release of withheld third-party deductions, including cooperative and union dues.
Piwuna noted that while ASUU has suspended the action, the union remains vigilant and will monitor the government’s compliance closely.
“Suspending this strike is not a sign of weakness but of responsibility,” he said. “We will not hesitate to take further action should the government fail to honour its commitments.”
