Parents Lament As ASUU Begins Two-week Strike Today

Parents and students have reacted angrily to the two-week warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which begins today across campuses nationwide.

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the strike in Abuja on Sunday, saying all branches of the union have been directed to withdraw their services from midnight. He said the decision followed the Federal Government’s failure to meet the union’s demands within the 14-day ultimatum issued two weeks ago.

He accused the government of neglecting the university system and ignoring repeated calls for action, stressing that the warning strike would be “total and comprehensive.”

While some parents expressed frustration over the development, others called on President Bola Tinubu to personally intervene to prevent another prolonged shutdown of universities.

A parent, Vincent Eke, said he had moved his daughter to a private university because he no longer trusted the public system. “I had to pay over N2 million this year,” he said. “It’s not easy, but it’s the only way she can graduate on time.”

Another parent, Fola Solarin, who has two children at the University of Lagos, described the strike as “unacceptable,” urging the Minister of Education to ensure it does not extend beyond two weeks.

Students across various universities also voiced their anger and disappointment. A 200-level student of Nasarawa State University, Lamba Luka, said the strike had become a recurring nightmare. “Every time we think the matter is over, ASUU strikes again,” he said.

In the same vein, a student of the University of Abuja, Kareem Ideh, said the timing of the strike would ruin students’ plans and finances. “Effective Monday, we will be unproductive until they fix this,” he said.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) said the strike would worsen the already unstable academic calendar. The group’s Executive Director of Projects, Tegbe Fiyinfoluwa, urged both sides to find a quick resolution and prioritise the welfare of students.

However, the Federal Government appealed to ASUU to reconsider its stance. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the government was taking major steps to meet the union’s demands.

He said President Tinubu had approved the release of ₦50 billion for earned allowances and another ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for revitalising universities. He added that a new negotiation committee led by Yayale Ahmed was already engaging all tertiary unions to reach a lasting agreement.

“We know you have been patient, but please don’t use strike as your first resort,” Alausa said. “These issues have lingered for years, but this administration is determined to resolve them once and for all.”

Despite the assurances, ASUU insists the strike will continue until the government meets its key demands.