The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has announced that its members are not participating in the 15-day warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and remain fully at work across universities nationwide.
In a statement released on Sunday night, CONUA National President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, who lectures at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, clarified that the union is not part of the ongoing industrial action and urged the public to disregard any misinformation suggesting otherwise.
Dr. Sunmonu explained that the clarification became necessary to address confusion within the university community and among students regarding CONUA’s position. He reaffirmed that the union remains dedicated to maintaining academic stability and promoting dialogue over disruption in resolving issues affecting Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
“CONUA remains deeply committed to academic stability, excellence, and the smooth functioning of our universities through constructive engagement with the government and stakeholders,” he said. “Members are therefore urged to continue carrying out their academic and administrative responsibilities diligently.”
He emphasised that CONUA has no reason to embark on strike action, noting that the union’s issues with the Federal Government are being addressed through dialogue.
Providing background on recent developments, Dr. Sunmonu stated that when the renegotiation committee of the 2009 Agreement was inaugurated in October 2024, CONUA was deliberately excluded. The union protested its omission and later met with the Minister of Education on September 11, 2025.
“At that meeting, the Minister acknowledged our concerns and promised that the Yayale Ahmed Renegotiation Committee would be expanded to include all academic unions in federal tertiary institutions. We are pleased that this promise has now been fulfilled,” he added.
He noted that following the meeting, CONUA held nationwide congresses between September 18 and 24, 2025, where members unanimously resolved that no strike action should be taken. The union, he said, would continue to prioritise dialogue, peaceful engagement, and the pursuit of sustainable solutions to sectoral challenges.
Dr. Sunmonu also called on Vice Chancellors to ensure the safety and protection of CONUA members who remain at work, while urging students to stay focused on their studies without fear of disruption.
“Until CONUA is formally brought to the table and any of our presented issues become subjects of dispute, there is no basis whatsoever for a strike,” he said.
He reaffirmed CONUA’s commitment to promoting quality education, national development, and industrial peace in the university system, while expressing appreciation to all stakeholders for their continued cooperation.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Federal Government has threatened to enforce a “no work, no pay” policy against ASUU members participating in the strike. This move could potentially affect CONUA members if they fail to clarify their non-participation, as experienced during the last ASUU strike, which lasted over seven months. During that period, the government withheld salaries of academic staff across universities, including CONUA members, before later releasing four months’ pay, leaving the remainder unpaid to date.
