ASUP Suspends Planned Strike, Gives FG Six Weeks to Fulfil Promises

While university lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have commenced a nationwide warning strike, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has opted for dialogue—suspending its planned industrial action and granting the Federal Government a six-week window to honour pending agreements.

In a statement issued on Sunday, ASUP National President Shammah Kpanja said the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) reached the decision after noting “encouraging progress” in its engagements with the Ministry of Education.

Kpanja explained that the latest resolution followed the 115th NEC meeting held on October 9, 2025, where members reviewed the outcome of several follow-up sessions with government representatives since the 21-day ultimatum issued in August.

“The NEC observed reasonable steps taken by the government, particularly the release of the circular on Peculiar Academic Allowance and progress on the 2025 NEEDS Assessment intervention for polytechnics,” he stated.

Other positive developments, according to ASUP, include the reactivation of the Polytechnics Implementation Monitoring Committee (PIMC), the reconstitution of the Federal Government Renegotiation Committee to accommodate polytechnic interests, and the Ministry’s intervention in disputes at the Federal Polytechnics in Nekede and Ekowe.

The statement also mentioned ongoing discussions on the payment of 25–35 percent salary adjustments, promotion arrears, and the restoration of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) governing board.

“In view of the progress recorded and the commitment demonstrated by the Honourable Minister of Education and his team, the Union’s NEC resolved to suspend its planned strike,” the statement added.

Kpanja emphasized that the decision was taken in the spirit of cooperation and national interest, noting that the six-week moratorium would allow the government sufficient time to conclude outstanding issues—particularly salary arrears, the FGN/ASUP renegotiation process, and the review of outsourcing policies affecting the technical education sector.

ASUP warned, however, that it would review its position at the end of the six-week period to determine the next line of action if tangible results are not achieved.

The development comes only hours after ASUU officially declared a two-week warning strike across all public universities, citing the government’s delay in implementing previous agreements.