The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government of Nigeria a 14-day ultimatum to address critical issues affecting the nation’s higher education system, including unpaid salary arrears, education funding, and the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.

The decision followed a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja, where concerns over inadequate government investment in the education sector dominated discussions.

ASUU’s national president, Prof. Chris Piwuna, confirmed the development in a statement personally signed by him, stressing that the federal government’s neglect of the university system continues to undermine national development and economic growth.

The statement read in part:

“Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the fourteen-day ultimatum the Federal Government fails to act, the Union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.”

ASUU’s long-standing demands include:

  • Renegotiation of the 2009 agreement to reflect current economic realities.

  • Adequate revitalisation funds for universities to improve infrastructure and research output.

  • Settlement of outstanding salary arrears for lecturers and staff.

  • Sustainable funding mechanisms to ensure long-term stability in the higher education sector.

The Federal Ministry of Education had earlier inaugurated a committee, chaired by Permanent Secretary Abel Enitan, to review ASUU’s proposals and prevent further disruption in Nigeria’s university education system.

Education analysts warn that failure to resolve these issues could worsen the student loan debt crisis, stall scholarship opportunities, and cripple Nigeria’s workforce development at a time when global competitiveness is driven by innovation and knowledge-based economies.