The Federal Government has debunked reports in some quarters that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is on strike.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, made the rebuttal in a statement yesterday, emphasising the Nigerian government’s commitment to maintaining industrial harmony in tertiary institutions.

He attributed the current stability in universities to sustained dialogue, mutual respect, and the government’s dedication to addressing staff demands.

Alausa stated that Nigerian public tertiary institutions have remained open and stable for the past two years.

A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, quoted the minister as highlighting the government’s commitment to maintaining cordial relationships with relevant stakeholders.

“It is not by coincidence that Nigerian public tertiary institutions have remained open and stable for the past two years, something that has not happened in several decades,” the minister said, adding: “This is a reflection of our government’s unwavering commitment to maintaining cordial relationships with all stakeholders in the education sector. We are meeting demands in phases, and we are doing so respectfully and consistently.”

Alausa stressed that the welfare of both academic and non-academic staff remains a top priority for the Federal Government, and is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Human Capital Development. He reassured that the government would not relent in improving working conditions and protecting the academic calendar.

“Our children are the heartbeat of the nation, and their uninterrupted education is non-negotiable. The Federal Government will continue to work closely with all unions in the education sector to ensure that the gates of our institutions remain open,” he added.

BUT members of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) chapter of the union have resumed normal academic activities.

The Branch Chairperson, Dr. Haruna Angulu, dropped the hint while fielding questions on the current situation in ASUU.

When asked if the branch was joining the declared industrial action, the ATBU ASUU chairman responded: “We have not declared a full-blown strike as reported by media houses.

“We have resumed our normal academic activities in ATBU, Bauchi, hence, our June 2025 salary has been paid.”

THIS came as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) appealed to ASUU to shelve its proposed strike over the delay in the payment of June salary to its members.

The body made the appeal in a statement signed by its National Vice President on Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Felicia Akinbodunse, and made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
Akinbodunse said any industrial action would destabilise the stable academic calendar universities had enjoyed for the past two years.

The leadership of ASUU, on Monday, confirmed that a directive had been issued for all branches of the union nationwide to withdraw their services over the delay in the payment of June 2025 salaries to its members.

The union cited the enforcement of the “No Pay, No Work” resolution.

ASUU chapters in two federal universities, the University of Jos and the University of Abuja, have already commenced strike action in compliance with the directive.

President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, who confirmed the development to the media in Abuja, said the institutions were simply complying with the resolution from the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union.

Akinbodunse, however, appealed to ASUU to reconsider their stand and shelve the strike, noting that students were always at the receiving end any time the academic union embarked on a strike.