New reports indicate that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, may be hindering efforts to address long-standing issues that typically spark strikes in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Contrary to popular belief that the government failed to act, BASEMEDIA exclusive sources revealed that the federal government had been in active discussions with ASUU up until last Friday, just days before the union publicly announced its strike.
The key meeting, which lasted several hours, involved the FG negotiation team led by Senator Lanre Tejuosho and top ASUU officials. Both sides described the discussions as open and constructive.
By the end of the meeting, ASUU reportedly promised to provide feedback after consulting its members. However, a senior Ministry of Education official disclosed that the union never followed up. “They said they would get back to us, but they didn’t. The next thing was their public announcement of a nationwide strike,” the official said.
Government sources maintained that it had been responsive to ASUU, holding meetings and engaging in dialogue during the union’s two-week notice period, yet the union appeared determined to proceed with the strike.
Last week, ASUU National President Chris Piwuna had warned that the union’s stance on a warning strike would remain unless the government met its demands. A source from ASUU confirmed that after the Friday meeting, the union did not respond to calls from the government seeking clarification.
The ministry source added, “ASUU only responded on Sunday, after they had already announced the strike, and have yet to schedule another meeting.”
This situation has raised questions about whether ASUU is genuinely pursuing a resolution or taking a hardline stance that could hinder reforms in the education sector.
Meanwhile, the Congress of University Academics, CONUA, has distanced itself from the strike. Its National President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, denied any involvement, stating, “CONUA has not declared any strike and is not part of any ongoing strike.”
In response to the strike, the federal government has warned that the “no work, no pay” policy will be enforced if lecturers continue their industrial action. Minister of Education Tunji Alausa reiterated that the government has met all ASUU demands and urged the union to call off the strike.
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