The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its two-week warning strike following what it described as encouraging progress in ongoing negotiations with the federal government over the implementation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement.
Gatekeepers News reports that ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, announced the suspension at a press conference on Wednesday after an overnight meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC), which ended around 4:00 a.m.
The union had commenced the warning strike on October 13, protesting the government’s alleged failure to meet several outstanding demands.
‘Talks Have Been Useful, But More Work Needed’
Piwuna said the decision to suspend the strike was taken to acknowledge the intervention of “well-meaning Nigerians,” including students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who appealed for dialogue.
“We have had useful engagements with government representatives on the draft renegotiation of the 2009 agreement,” he said.
“We are not where we were before the commencement of the strike, but a lot more work is still required.”
He added that ASUU’s NEC resolved to review the strike in light of the government’s renewed commitment to negotiations.
Union Lists Unresolved Demands
ASUU’s demands include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, release of withheld salaries, and sustainable funding for the revitalisation of public universities.
Other issues raised are the payment of 25–35% salary arrears, over four years of promotion arrears, and the release of withheld third-party deductions, including cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
The union also urged an end to what it called the “victimisation of lecturers” at Lagos State University (LASU), Prince Abubakar Audu University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
Piwuna stressed that while the strike was a “necessary warning,” ASUU’s decision to suspend it demonstrates the union’s willingness to give dialogue another chance.
“This decision was taken in good faith to reciprocate the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians and to allow the negotiation process to continue,” he said.
