The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced its readiness to resume negotiations with the Federal Government, raising hopes for an end to the ongoing strike that has paralyzed activities in public universities.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, made this known on Monday during an interview on Channels Television, where he reaffirmed that the union remains open to dialogue as the only sustainable path to resolving the protracted crisis.
The union had, on Sunday, declared a two-week comprehensive strike, halting academic work nationwide over unresolved issues that have lingered for years.
While the government insists it has met ASUU’s major demands and branded the strike “unjustified,” it also threatened to enforce a “no work, no pay” policy against lecturers who refuse to return to work.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), however, condemned the government’s position, warning that such measures would stifle fair negotiation and undermine workers’ rights to collective bargaining.
Despite the tension, Piwuna revealed that the union had received positive signals from senior government officials indicating a willingness to return to the negotiation table.
“Earlier today, I got a call from Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, the chairman of the government’s negotiation team, expressing readiness to resume discussions. I also received a call from the Minister of State for Labour, who confirmed she’s been directed to step in and facilitate dialogue. ASUU is ready. We are prepared to engage and find lasting solutions,” he stated.
He added that the union expected formal communication from the Implementation and Labour Monitoring Committee by Tuesday, stressing that ASUU would immediately honour any invitation for talks. “My understanding is that between tonight and tomorrow, we will receive an official letter for a meeting. Once that happens, ASUU will be there. We are ready and willing to talk,” Piwuna affirmed.
The ASUU president also reiterated that the strike was a last resort, not a first option, emphasizing that the union’s ultimate goal was to restore stability and quality to Nigeria’s higher education system. “Strike is never our preferred choice. It’s always a last measure to demand what is right,” he said.
Responding to the Minister of Education’s recent claim that all issues with ASUU had been resolved, Piwuna questioned the logic behind new meeting invitations.
“If the government insists everything is settled, then why are they calling for another round of talks? Have the 2009 agreements been implemented? Are our colleagues in state universities like LASU and Kogi State University still not facing victimization?” he queried.
Piwuna concluded by stressing that both lecturers and students remain victims of government inaction, and ASUU’s struggle is aimed at saving public education from further decay.
