By Our Correspondent

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a two-week warning strike, beginning at midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025, following the Federal Government’s alleged failure to fulfill several outstanding agreements and commitments to the union.

ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the decision during an emergency press conference held at the Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja. He explained that the strike action was a product of frustration over the government’s continued neglect of critical issues affecting the nation’s university system.

According to Professor Piwuna, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union had, after its meeting on September 28, given the government a 14-day ultimatum to address key demands. These include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, release of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, and the provision of sustainable funding for public universities.

Other grievances listed by the union include the revitalization of universities, payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.

He lamented that despite several meetings and promises, particularly the recent dialogue held on October 10, the government’s response remained, in his words, “nothing to write home about.”

> “We have been patient for too long. The government has failed to demonstrate genuine commitment to resolving these issues. This warning strike is to draw national attention to the plight of Nigerian university lecturers and the worsening decay in the system,”
Professor Piwuna stated.

He appealed for understanding from students, parents, and the general public, stressing that ASUU’s struggle is not self-serving but aimed at rescuing Nigeria’s public universities from total collapse.

“All our branches nationwide have been directed to comply fully with this directive and withdraw their services for the next two weeks,” he said.

The ASUU president further called for solidarity from labour unions, civil society organizations, and the media, urging them to stand by the union in its quest for a better and more sustainable university education system in Nigeria.

The strike, which is expected to last for two weeks, may further disrupt academic activities across public universities, raising concerns among students and parents about the future of higher education in the country.

By Our Correspondent

Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is on the verge of a significant disruption as workers under the Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association (PTECSSAN) have commenced an industrial strike. This development, announced on Monday, is expected to cause widespread service outages across the country, affecting millions of subscribers.

Okonu Abdullahi, the union’s Secretary-General, confirmed the strike, citing deteriorating working conditions, unfair dismissal of employees, and the refusal of employers to recognize the union. The strike involves over 800 workers employed by major telecom companies, including IHS and Huawei.

“The strike has become inevitable due to the harsh working conditions our members are enduring,” Abdullahi said in a formal statement. “Employers have refused to recognize their right to unionize and have unfairly dismissed three union members. Our demands include reinstatement of these workers, improved working conditions, and the remittance of union dues.”

PTECSSAN issued a seven-day notice prior to the strike, warning of severe consequences if their demands were not addressed. “We have instructed our members not to respond to any service outages,” Abdullahi added. “Outages happen daily, and without our engineers, subscribers in affected areas will experience major disruptions.”

In response, Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), distanced the group from the union and its activities. “This group is not known to us in ALTON, and the companies mentioned are not our members,” Adebayo stated, dismissing any affiliation with the union.

With telecom services integral to Nigeria’s daily life and economy, the strike could have a substantial impact, leaving subscribers to face prolonged service interruptions in the days ahead. It remains to be seen how negotiations between the union and employers will unfold, but the potential for a prolonged shutdown looms over the country’s telecom sector.