Education

ASUU mobilises chapters for Oct 13 warning strike

Published

8 months ago

October 7, 2025

Barring any last-minute change, the Academic Staff Union of Universities will on Monday, October 13, 2025, commence a two-week nationwide warning strike to press home its demands from the Federal Government.

This was contained in a memo tagged “Strike Bulletin One” sent to all branches and obtained by our correspondent on Monday in Abuja.

The planned strike follows a two-week ultimatum issued by the union last week, asking the Federal Government to address its unresolved issues, including the signing and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

In the fresh memo to branches, ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, lamented the government’s failure to provide any meaningful response to the union’s demands despite the ultimatum.

“The National Executive Council of our union, at its emergency meeting of 28 September, 2025, having evaluated the results of the referendum held across branches, resolved to give government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve the issues contained in the negotiated document transmitted to government since February, 2025,” Piwuna wrote.

“It was further resolved that the union will proceed on a two-week warning strike at the expiration of the ultimatum if government fails to take acceptable and satisfactory steps to address the lingering issues.

“The resolutions were immediately communicated to the Honourable Minister of Labour, the Honourable Minister of Education and the Nigeria Labour Congress. It is now one week since those resolutions were reached and communicated to the appropriate authorities.

“I regret to inform you that there is no meaningful development deserving any consideration to be reported.”

The ASUU president thanked members for their patience during what he described as “a tortuous negotiation” that has dragged on for more than eight years, urging them to remain united and resolute.

“As we enter the second and final week of the ultimatum, I thank you on behalf of NEC for the patience and understanding which you have demonstrated since the commencement of this tortuous negotiation that has unjustifiably lasted over eight years.

“The goal of our current action remains principally to compel the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement document, among other demands.

“The days ahead call for mobilisation of every member of our union to ensure unity of purpose. No one should be left out of the struggle for our welfare, to stem the japa syndrome, and reposition the Nigerian university system for global competitiveness.

“We are strong when we organise, but weakened when we agonise! Our union has always acted in solidarity as a collective; this action will not be different.”

Piwuna instructed members to take directives only from their branch chairpersons, urging strict adherence to union channels.

“Members are to take instructions only from their chairpersons. When in doubt, members should consult their chairpersons, zonal coordinators, and attend congress meetings regularly for updates on further developments,” he said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, said updates on the government’s response would be provided “when available.”

The union’s decision follows the National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, ASUU listed several unresolved issues that have been debated for months. These include the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, sustainable funding for university revitalisation, and addressing the victimisation of lecturers in some federal universities.

Other demands are the payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears, the resolution of promotion arrears lingering for over four years, and the settlement of third-party deduction issues.

“ASUU, as a union, believes that the government has the muscle to avert this looming strike,” the communiqué stated.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Academic Technologists also on Monday a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over the non-implementation of key resolutions reached with the union.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting held on October 4, 2025, at the Federal University, Lafia, the union expressed displeasure over the failure of the Ministry of Education, led by Dr Tunji Alausa, to convene meetings and address lingering issues affecting its members.

The communiqué, signed by NAAT’s National President, Ibeji Nwokoma, noted that the NEC reviewed the progress made following the conciliation meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment on July 30, 2025, where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, and another meeting held by the Minister of Education on September 11, 2025.

“The issues in contention include the non-completion of the FGN/NAAT 2009 Agreement renegotiation, which seeks to review the existing salaries, allowances, and other conditions of service in the Nigerian university system. Only the inaugural meeting was held between the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation committee and NAAT on December 10, 2024. It is therefore worrisome to hear that a report has been submitted to the Federal Government without proper consultation with the union,” the communiqué read.

It added that the union was also concerned about the non-mainstreaming of earned allowances into the salaries of academic technologists to prevent the further accumulation of arrears, the non-release of the enabling circular for CONTISS 14 and 15 to allow members reach the peak of their careers, and the recent delays in the payment of monthly salaries, which have caused severe hardship for members amid the current economic realities.

“Consequent upon the above, the union hereby issues a 14-day ultimatum to the government to address these demands. While NAAT remains open to dialogue, failure to act within the stipulated period will leave the union with no option but to declare an industrial action to press home its demands,” the statement added.

NAAT had earlier demanded the mainstreaming of members’ allowances, the release of N50 billion to settle outstanding earned allowances, and the completion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement. The union also called for the implementation of the consequential adjustment of the new national minimum wage, payment of three and a half months of withheld salaries, release of third-party deductions for the two months of salaries recently paid, and the settlement of seven and eleven months of arrears of occupational hazard and responsibility allowances, respectively.

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Education

OAU has fulfilled founding fathers’ vision, says TETFund boss

Published

4 days ago

June 5, 2026

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The executive secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, has said the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has lived to the ideals of its founding fathers, breeding experts in various fields of human endeavors.

Echono, while delivering a lecture to mark the 65th anniversary of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, also said investment in research and innovation systems will generate practical solutions suited to local realities.

The TETFUND boss, in the copy of the paper obtained in Osogbo on Friday, paid glowing tributes to the pioneer and successive Vice Chancellors of the university for sustaining the legacies of the university’s founding fathers.

“The Great Ife has remained a symbol of commitment and purposeful leadership. Expectedly, the university has lived to the ideals of its founding fathers as the breeding ground for erudite scholars, legal luminaries, successful businessmen, diplomats, accomplished technocrats and administrators, including its legion of Nigerian National Merit Award Winners, who are contributing to national development, and have continued to uphold the reputation of the university,” he said.

Speaking on the concept of research and innovation, Echono noted that research and innovation remain key drivers of national development, saying nations that have achieved sustained economic growth and technological advancement have done so through deliberate investment in knowledge generation, scientific inquiry, and practical innovation.

He added that in present day global economy, development does not depend on natural resources, but on the capacity to create, apply, and commercialize knowledge.

“Research and innovation remain key drivers of national development. Nations that have achieved sustained economic growth and technological advancement have done so through deliberate investment in knowledge generation, scientific inquiry, and practical innovation.

“In today’s global economy, development does not depend on natural resources but on the capacity to create, apply, and commercialize knowledge. Nigeria’s developmental challenges, though significant, also present opportunities for innovation-driven transformation.

“Addressing issues such as unemployment, insecurity, hunger, healthcare limitations, industrial underdevelopment, and technological dependence requires sustained investment in research and innovation systems that generate practical solutions suited to local realities,” Echono said.

Commending President Bola Tinubu for focusing on research and innovation that can provide solutions to challenges peculiar to the country and her people, Echono also stressed that building a fully functional and innovation-driven economy requires deliberate efforts to address issues of funding constraints, insufficient infrastructure, inadequate motivation, limited academia-industry collaboration, and challenges in commercialising research outputs.

He emphasised that the role of TETFund in enhancing the capacity of tertiary institutions in the country for research and development through its interventions activities has become increasingly strategic for strengthening Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem.

He further said that by supporting research funding, academic capacity development, innovation hubs, commercialisation initiatives, and entrepreneurship programmes, TETFund has been repositioning institutions in the country as active contributors to national development.

He declared that Nigeria’s “Sustainable development largely depends on how effective we are at leveraging knowledge, innovation, and technology to grow national economy, expand opportunities, create jobs and wealth, develop new products and services and improve the well-being of its people. This is essential for national growth, competitiveness, and long-term stability.”

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Simeon Bamire, said the institution has been recording steady growth since it’s establishment about 65 years ago and commanded the sacrifices and commitment of staff members and students towards sustaining legacies of excellence OAU is reputed for.

The PUNCH reports that Bamire announced plans to unveil the N10bn President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Centre of Excellence in Intercultural Dialogue and Youth Empowerment on June 8 as part of activities marking the institution’s 65th anniversary.

Bamire said the centre was designed to serve as a platform for research, dialogue, leadership development, innovation and youth empowerment.

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Education

UNIPORT names ex-Rivers health commissioner new vice-chancellor

Published

4 days ago

June 5, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The University of Port Harcourt has approved the appointment of Professor Princewill Chike as the 10th Vice Chancellor of the institution.

Chike was the Rivers State Commissioner for Health during the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike.

He will succeed the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, whose tenure will elapse on July 13.

Georgewill, who is the 9th VC of UNIPORT, will preside over his last convocation ceremony scheduled for Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6, 2026.

The university, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said Chike’s appointment was approved by the institution’s governing council following a selection process.

The statement titled ‘University of Port Harcourt Appoints Professor Princewill R. Chike as 10th Vice-Chancellor was signed by the Public Relations Officer of UNIPORT, Dr Sam Kpenu.

The statement reads, “The Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt has approved the appointment of Professor Princewill R. Chike as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University.

“The appointment was made by the 17th Governing Council following the successful conclusion of the selection process.

“The process was conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the University of Port Harcourt Act.

“It involved the constitution of a Search Team and a Joint Council-Senate Selection Board, which carried out their responsibilities in accordance with the extant laws and regulations governing the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in Nigerian universities.

“The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, congratulated Professor Chike on his appointment and expressed confidence in his ability to provide visionary leadership for the continued growth and development of the university.

“Professor Princewill R. Chike is expected to formally assume office as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt on 13 July 2026.”

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Education

ASUP gives 21-day ultimatum to poly over poor welfare

Published

6 days ago

June 3, 2026

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The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic Ngodo-Isuochi chapter, Abia State, has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the institution’s management over alleged non-implementation of staff welfare demands and breach of statutory obligations.

The ultimatum was contained in a letter addressed to the Rector Dr. Pdi Ndubuisi, dated May 26, 2026, which was jointly signed by the ASUP chairman in the institution, Mr Ador Osundu; and secretary, Mr Onyeneke Arrhenius.

In the letter sighted on Monday, the union’s executive stated that repeated efforts through dialogue, congresses, and official correspondence to draw the attention of the institution’s management had failed to yield action, creating “industrial tension, eroding trust, and threatening the stability of the institution”.

ASUP warned that failure to resolve the issues within 21 days would compel it to activate “all lawful trade union mechanisms, including industrial action”.

The body added that the ultimatum, adopted at the union’s congress on May 22, 2026, takes effect from the date of receipt of the letter (May 26).

ASUP listed six unresolved issues, citing violations of Nigerian labour, health, and anti-corruption laws.

The union accused management of failing to invite the National Housing Fund (NHF) officials for staff sensitisation and enrolment in violation of the National Housing Fund Act, which mandates employer cooperation in deductions and remittances.

Management was also faulted for not facilitating the National Health Insurance (NHIA) enrolment for staff, denying access to affordable healthcare guaranteed under the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 and the National Health Act 2014.

ASUP equally raised concerns over alleged diversion of funds approved for a borehole project into a personal account.

“We call for an independent audit of the project fund, failure to do that will force us to petition the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” the lecturers stated.

The union decried what it called a chronic shortage of essential drugs and medical supplies at the health centre, describing it as a failure of the institution’s duty of care. It demanded immediate restocking and engagement of competent medical personnel.

The union expressed dissatisfaction over management’s failure to remit deducted check-off dues from February 2026 till date, calling it a violation of the Trade Unions Act and Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.

“The union remains open to negotiation until the ultimatum expires, should management invite its leadership for talks.

“As we await management’s action, ASUP reaffirms its commitment to industrial peace, staff welfare, and institutional progress,” the letter stated.

When contacted the Public Relations Officer of the Polytechnic Dr Mrs Anukaenyi Blessing, said she cannot comment on the petition because she is not a member of the management board of Institutions.

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