As the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commences a nationwide two-week warning strike, a splinter group, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), has made it clear that it is not participating in the industrial action.
The strike, which officially began at midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025, has disrupted academic activities across federal and state universities. ASUU’s leadership says the move was prompted by the Federal Government’s continued failure to address long-standing issues affecting Nigeria’s public university system.
At a press conference held at the University of Abuja, ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the union’s decision, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on September 28.
“The strike will be total and comprehensive,” Prof. Piwuna said, noting that the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) had unanimously agreed to down tools. ASUU’s core demands include better working conditions, increased university autonomy, and the full implementation of previous agreements reached with the government.
However, CONUA, in a swift and firm response, issued a statement distancing itself from the strike.
In a release signed by its National President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, the group stated:
“Recent misinformation circulating across some platforms has created unnecessary confusion within the academic community and among students. This clarification is therefore issued to set the record straight.”
Dr. Sunmonu emphasized that CONUA remains committed to academic stability and is not part of any strike action. He called on members to continue with their academic and administrative duties, engage with students, and uphold professional responsibilities.
According to CONUA, there is currently no justification for its members to join a strike, as the union is not in dispute with the Federal Government. The group cited recent progress in negotiations, including its eventual inclusion in the expanded 2009 Agreement Renegotiation Committee—a move it says came after sustained dialogue with the Ministry of Education.
Dr. Sunmonu highlighted a key meeting with the Minister of Education on September 11, 2025, where CONUA’s exclusion from the committee was formally addressed. The Ministry has since taken steps to correct this by expanding the renegotiation body to include all relevant academic unions.
Following this, CONUA members held congresses across universities from September 18 to 24, where a collective decision was reached not to embark on any strike action. The group insists that engagement—not disruption—is the best way to resolve ongoing challenges in the university system.
In conclusion, CONUA appealed to university administrators to ensure the safety of its members and encouraged students to remain focused on their studies without fear of disruption.
“Our unwavering focus is on building a sustainable, innovative, and productive academic environment that serves the interests of students, scholars, and the nation,” the statement read.
While ASUU and the Federal Government remain at loggerheads, CONUA’s stance suggests a widening divide in Nigeria’s academic labor landscape—with implications for the future of industrial relations in the country’s higher education system.
