ASUU NEC Convenes Today to Weigh Indefinite Action as Critical Two-Day Talks with Federal Government Conclude Without Clear Resolution

The fate of millions of Nigerian university students hangs precariously, as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) concludes a crucial two-day negotiation meeting with the Federal Government. The outcome of these talks will directly inform the union’s National Executive Council (NEC), which is set to meet immediately to decide whether to embark on a total and indefinite strike.

ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, confirmed the significance of the negotiations, which began on Monday. He stressed that the union’s commitment to addressing the rot in the university system is “unshakable,” but expressed deep dissatisfaction with the government’s approach.

“If the meeting today (Tuesday) fails, we will return to our members and report to them that it has failed, and they will tell us what to do. And we’ll do exactly what they ask us to do,” Professor Piwuna stated, underscoring the seriousness of the impending decision.

Fifteen Years of Stagnation

The crisis stems from the government’s perceived failure to honor the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement. Central to the dispute is the abysmal salary structure, which has remained largely unchanged for over 15 years, leading to massive brain drain in public universities. ASUU has fiercely rejected the government’s proposed salary increase, calling it a “mere drop in the ocean” incapable of arresting the exodus of senior academics.

In addition to salary issues, the union is demanding the release of the N50 billion revitalisation fund, full payment of outstanding promotion arrears dating back to 2017, and an end to the alleged manipulation of the negotiation process by government functionaries.

The expiration of ASUU’s one-month ultimatum on Friday, November 21, marks the end of the grace period given to the government. The NEC meeting today will consider the government’s final offers, making this day critical for the stability of Nigeria’s academic calendar. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has repeatedly assured the public that the government is doing everything possible to avert a strike, but ASUU insists that only concrete action, not political promises, will prevent a nationwide shutdown.