The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially suspended its two-week warning strike following overnight deliberations by its National Executive Council (NEC). The decision was announced by the union’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, during a press briefing held on Wednesday in Abuja.

Prof. Piwuna explained that the union reached the decision after holding “useful engagements” with representatives of the Federal Government regarding the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement. The NEC meeting, which reportedly lasted until 4:00 a.m., reviewed the government’s latest response and agreed to suspend the strike as a gesture of goodwill.

According to ASUU, the warning strike was initiated due to the government’s failure to meet several pending demands. Piwuna noted that while some progress had been made, there was still more work to be done to address key issues affecting public universities. “We are not where we were before the strike began,” he said, acknowledging the intervention of students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in pushing for dialogue.

ASUU’s major demands include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 agreement, release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding for universities, and an end to the victimisation of lecturers at LASU, FUTO, and Prince Abubakar Audu University. The union also wants the payment of 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning four years, and the release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union dues.

While suspending the strike, ASUU emphasized that it expects the government to act swiftly to fulfil its promises. The union reaffirmed its commitment to defending quality education and protecting the welfare of university lecturers across Nigeria.