The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, insisting on immediate action on unresolved issues affecting the university system or risking a nationwide strike.
Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Calabar Zone, Comrade Ikechukwu Igwenyi, gave the warning on Monday, 17th November, 2025, during an interactive session with Journalists in Calabar, where he lamented the government’s prolonged delay in addressing critical agreements.
Igwenyi said the union is demanding the completion and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement, with clear timelines, as well as fair remuneration and improved working conditions to stem the ongoing exodus of academic talent.
ASUU further called for the immediate release of the outstanding 3½ months’ salaries and all withheld payments, refund of third-party deductions, and settlement of promotion arrears.
The union also urged the government to pay the outstanding 25–35% wage awards with consequential adjustments, increase budgetary allocation to education, and ensure sustainable funding of public universities.
The union accused the government of undermining university autonomy through policy impositions and demanded strict adherence to laws governing the system.
In a statement jointly signed by Igwenyi and nine other ASUU leaders from universities across the Calabar Zone—including representatives from UNICAL, UNICROSS, ABSU, EBSU, FUNAI, UEE, and UNIUYO—the union warned it would not hesitate to declare a strike if the Federal Government fails to act within the four-week window.
“We shall remain unbowed, unbroken, and unwavering in this just struggle, with profound faith in the certainty of victory,” the statement read.
ASUU emphasised that education is a right, not a privilege, adding that Nigeria’s challenge is not the unavailability of funds but the lack of political will to prioritise education.
“We shall rebuild the Nigerian university system of our dream with the ashes of the struggle,” the union declared.
