ASUU Suspends Two-Week Warning Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its two-week warning strike after an overnight meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) in Abuja, which ended around 4 a.m. on Wednesday.
Announcing the decision at a press briefing, ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said the suspension followed “useful engagements” with representatives of the Federal Government over the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.
Piwuna explained that while the union was still dissatisfied with the pace of government action, it recognised renewed efforts to address its demands.
“We’ve had constructive discussions with government officials on the renegotiation process. Although we are not yet where we should be, we acknowledge that progress has been made compared to when the strike began,” he said.
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He added that the NEC decided to suspend the warning strike in appreciation of interventions by students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
“NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike to reciprocate the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians who appealed for dialogue and understanding,” Piwuna noted.
The union had declared the two-week warning strike on Monday, October 13, over the government’s failure to meet long-standing demands.
ASUU’s grievances include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and an end to the alleged victimisation of its members at LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
Other demands cover the payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears, four years of unpaid promotion arrears, and the release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union dues.
By PRNigeri
