The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to meet with the Federal Government on Friday, November 21, 2025, as the one-month ultimatum it issued to authorities expires. In a strategic move to avert potential industrial action, the government invited senior union negotiators to a meeting aimed at concluding the long-standing renegotiation process.
In a communiqué obtained exclusively by TRIBUNE ONLINE on Thursday, ASUU leadership confirmed that it would honour the invitation “as a responsible union,” despite noting the timing of the government’s outreach as belated. The union said it would first assess the outcome of the meeting before deciding on further action.
The memo stated that following the discussions, ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) will convene to review any proposals from the Federal Government and determine the union’s “next line of action.” Members were urged to remain “calm, motivated, and fully prepared” ahead of the NEC meeting, with the union emphasizing that its unity “remains our greatest strength.”
ASUU also highlighted that members should be ready to comply with any directives that may emerge after the renegotiation outcome is assessed, ending the statement with a rallying call: “The struggle continues…”
This development comes after an earlier one-month ultimatum issued to compel the government to act on unresolved demands. While the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has publicly stated that the government has “literally met” many of ASUU’s requests, the union maintains that core issues remain outstanding. These include the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement, payment of withheld salaries, and the establishment of a sustainable funding model for public universities.
Observers note that a satisfactory outcome from Friday’s meeting could prevent a disruptive strike, especially with the NEC positioned to make a decision immediately afterwards. However, if the government’s proposals fall short, union members may face renewed calls for industrial action, potentially affecting students, parents, and university operations nationwide.
