The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its two-week warning strike, which began on 13 October 2025.

The decision, announced on Wednesday in Abuja by ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, followed renewed commitments from the Federal Government and the National Assembly to address the union’s long-standing demands.

Professor Piwuna said the suspension came after fresh engagements with the Yayale Ahmed-led committee and the Deputy Senate President, both of whom assured the union of concrete steps towards resolving the dispute.

He stated that the lecturers decided to suspend the strike ahead of its scheduled end date next Monday, but urged the government to seize the one-month suspension window to act decisively on their demands.

ASUU’s key demands include the review of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government Agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and disbursement of the university revitalisation fund.

The union, however, warned that it would resume industrial action without prior notice if no tangible progress is recorded within the next month.

ASUU had declared a “total and comprehensive” two-week warning strike on 12 October following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum it issued to the government on 28 September. The strike, the union explained, was due to the Federal Government’s failure to address issues bordering on staff welfare, infrastructure development, implementation of the 2009 agreement, and payment of salary arrears.

In response, the Federal Government criticised the union for embarking on the strike, claiming that it was already addressing the concerns raised. It also invoked the “No Work, No Pay” policy in line with labour law provisions.

A circular from the Ministry of Education reaffirmed the government’s stance, directing vice-chancellors to conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of academic staff in their respective institutions and to submit reports identifying those on duty.

Last week, the Senate intervened in the dispute, expressing dismay over the government’s inability to meet ASUU’s demands, which it described as unacceptable.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Aliyu Dandutse, disclosed after a closed-door session with ASUU leaders that the Senate would commence a negotiation process involving the Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and other key stakeholders.

He added that the committee would also engage the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resolve the lingering controversy surrounding the University of Abuja land.