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ASUU Serves Final Notice, Threatens Strike at Expiration of 14 Days Ultimatum
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has vowed to down tools after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued the Federal government to meet its demands.
Briefing journalists, in Calabar, the Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Calabar zone, Comrade Happiness Uduk, who read a joint statement by all chairpersons of the zone, warned that the Federal government should be held responsible for the breakdown of industrial harmony, which might arise from its indifference towards their plight.
“Our Union will withdraw services, and should not be held responsible for the breakdown in industrial harmony which will arise as a result of the government’s insensitivity, insincerity, indifference and time-buying tactics.
“The Union calls on those in authority as well as their agents to seize this window to forestall the looming crisis.
“With a feeling of indignation, we regret to bore you with the cry of anger, frustration and unfulfilled promises that have tirelessly bedeviled our struggle and have been front-burnt for several years.
“The Calabar zone of ASUU has called this Press conference because of development or the lack of it, as regards our engagements with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“As you are aware, in a letter dated 20th August 2024, the Union gave the government a 21-day ultimatum for the resolution of all the issues in contention since 2009.
“We categorically want to inform you that nothing tangible has changed safely for meetings and more meetings for which government agents were more concerned with receiving allowances for convening such meetings from tax-payers money, and the funds that our government claims it does not have.
“We are compelled, therefore, to address you, gentlemen of the Press on the latest development or otherwise because of the inevitable and impending industrial action to press home our demands.
“As men of the fourth (estate of) realm, to escalate the issues for those concerned to improve the already fragile industrial harmony in our tertiary institutions and save the education system from total collapse or risk yet another industrial action.
“Recall that in an open letter to the Federal government, our Union in a bid to ensure that this legacy struggle is achieved for the good of Nigerians and Nigeria, had mentioned ten (10) issues in contention including the conclusion of the re-negotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement based on the draft agreement by the Nimi Briggs committee in 2021, which is already out of date given the reality of the current Dollar/Naira ratio amongst others.
“The failure of governments to implement contents of several Memoranda of Understanding and Action between 2013 and 2022 has particularly hampered access to wholesome industrial harmony in public Universities especially as renegotiation has lingered for over seven years spanning the Babalakin-led team through Jubrin Munzali’s team and Emeritus Prof. Nimi Briggs’ committee.
“The last two concluded renegotiation but the government has not owned the said document nor implemented its contents. Since the inception of this government, all efforts to get them to adopt and implement the said agreement have been frustrated.
“With the current economic realities, even the wage award and palliative cannot replace the renegotiated agreement which was reached following the time-tried and honoured principle of collective bargaining.
“Presently, it is difficult for any University worker to tell his/her exact salary as it fluctuates every month while third-party deductions are withheld or released haphazardly with impunity and amputations.
“It is obvious this government is not interested in resolving lingering issues with our Union that is why like previous governments, its engagements with us are characterized by bottlenecks of bureaucracy, time-buying, documentation denial, lack of budgetary provisions rather compounding and complicating the already unpleasant relationship.
“Given current realities in the dysfunctional relationship between Federal government and ASUU, the Union resolved to give the government 14 more days ultimatum to the earlier 21 days beginning from Monday, 23rd September 2024 within which all issues must have been addressed to the satisfaction of our poorly-treated members.
“We hereby encourage members that though the road is rough, victory is assured because there is no going back,” the union concluded.
The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, on Wednesday, returned to Nigeria from London.
The former Kano State governor had travelled to the United Kingdom for medical treatment shortly after his controversial resignation as APC national chairman.
Confirming the development to The PUNCH, his former Chief of Staff, Mohammed Garba, said Ganduje arrived in the country in the early hours of Wednesday after spending about a month abroad.
“Yes, he is back in Nigeria today. He is full of life and has returned to his residence,” Garba stated.
He added that Ganduje departed Nigeria for London five days after stepping down from the party’s leadership to undergo medical care.
Ganduje, who became APC National Chairman in August 2023, had reportedly resigned on June 27, 2025, ostensibly over ill health.
He was subsequently inaugurated as the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria on July 9, while former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Netanwe Yilwatda, has since replaced him as the APC National Chairman.
The Federal government has confirmed the closure of approximately 13,597,057 social media accounts belonging to users of platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).
The account on the various social media platforms were shutdown due to offensive content and violations of the Code of Practice.
The action against the platforms was disclosed in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report submitted by promoters of interactive computer service platforms, including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.
The Code of Practice, jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), was designed to regulate online activities and curb harmful content.
The 2024 report, titled “Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report Highlights Social Media Platforms’ Efforts on Online Harm Protection,” outlined how platforms have implemented content moderation measures in Nigeria.
According to the report, a total of 58,909,112 offensive contents were pulled down across multiple platforms within the year under review.
The statement, signed on Wednesday by NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, also revealed that platforms received 754,629 registered complaints from users during the period.
She added that 420,439 contents were removed and re-uploaded following appeals by users.
Umar said: “The compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and the platforms’ community guidelines.
“The submission of these reports marks a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users.
“It also demonstrates the platforms’ commitment to ensuring a secure and trustworthy online environment for all.
“This achievement reflects the provisions of the Code of Practice, which mandates that large service platforms are registered in Nigeria and comply with relevant laws, including the fulfillment of their tax obligation, while reinforcing the commitment to online safety for Nigerians.
“While NITDA acknowledges these commendable efforts, we emphasise that building a safer digital space requires sustained collaboration and engagement among all stakeholders.
“We remain committed to working with industry players, civil society, and regulatory partners to further strengthen user safety measures, enhance digital literacy, and promote trust and transparency in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.”
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all airlines operating in the country to ensure that passengers completely switch off their mobile phones during aircraft take-off and landing.
NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, disclosed the directive in a post on X on Tuesday. He said the measure was part of a harmonisation of existing rules on the use of electronic devices onboard.
“Henceforth, the regulation per phones and other electronic devices in Nigeria has been unified: ALL PHONES MUST BE SWITCHED OFF DURING THE CRITICAL ASPECTS OF TAKE-OFF AND LANDING,” Achimugu wrote.
“All airlines must amend their security programmes to reflect this if different in their current programmes. No more airplane mode until regulations are reviewed to reflect evolving technological situations.”
The directive means that all airlines will have to adjust their operational manuals and cabin crew instructions to enforce the policy.
