The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set for a crucial National Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, where it will determine its next course of action following the completion of renegotiation talks with the Federal Government’s Yayale Ahmed-led committee.
Government negotiators reconvened with ASUU on Monday in an eleventh-hour attempt to halt a looming nationwide strike.
According to a senior NEC member, the discussions—which resumed yesterday—are scheduled to wrap up today (Tuesday), after which the union’s leadership will meet to decide the fate of the nation’s public universities.
“The renegotiation meeting started on Monday and will end on Tuesday. After that, NEC will meet and determine our next steps by Wednesday. Everyone will know the outcome then,” the source said, speaking anonymously due to restrictions placed on media disclosures during the process.
ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the government expired on Saturday, intensifying anxiety on campuses across the country.
The union has consistently warned of a total shutdown of academic activities, citing government’s “nonchalant” approach to issues that have lingered for over a decade.
Among ASUU’s key demands are the full renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU–FG agreement, payment of withheld salaries and earned academic allowances, and the release of revitalisation funds to public universities.
Despite mounting tension, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa—currently on an official trip abroad—has maintained that the Tinubu administration has substantially addressed the union’s grievances.
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He reminded journalists two weeks ago that President Bola Tinubu had directed that no strike must occur in public universities.
“We’ve met nearly all their requirements and have returned to the negotiation table. We will resolve this,” Alausa assured.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has thrown its weight behind ASUU, cautioning that it will stand firmly with university lecturers should the government fail to meet its obligations.
The nation now awaits Wednesday’s outcome—one that could either steady the university system or plunge it back into another cycle of disruption.