The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to fulfil its promises following the suspension of its two-week warning strike in October.

In a statement on Wednesday signed by the University of Jos branch chairman, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, the union said the government had made “no significant progress” in meeting its demands despite the suspension being a gesture of goodwill.

ASUU had in October declared a total and comprehensive warning strike beginning October 13, pressing for the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, payment of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and sustainable funding of tertiary institutions, among other demands.

The strike was later suspended midway after an emergency meeting between ASUU leaders and government officials, following assurances that the issues would be resolved. However, Molwus said the promises had not been kept.

“We expected that some of the outstanding entitlements, such as 3.5 months of withheld salaries, 25/35% wage award arrears, promotion arrears, and unpaid salaries of some members, would have been paid to university workers by now. But all we get are press releases by the Honourable Minister of Education. What we need are credit alerts, not media statements,” he stated.

He also expressed concern that the ₦50 billion revitalisation fund reportedly released by the government weeks ago had not yet reached the universities.

“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was quoted to have said that ₦2.3 billion has been released to clear salary and promotion arrears in all federal universities. But as we speak, university workers have yet to receive such payments,” Molwus added.

The ASUU branch chairman urged the Federal Government to show transparency in the disbursement of intervention funds and called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritise education as a cornerstone of national development.

He warned that the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) would convene on November 8 and 9, 2025, to review the government’s actions and determine its next steps.

“We hereby state for the avoidance of doubt that the strike was only suspended as a mark of respect and demonstration of goodwill in collective bargaining. We expect the Federal Government to reciprocate by satisfactorily addressing our demands without further delays,” Molwus said.

He noted that the union had given the government until November 21, 2025, to meet its demands or risk the resumption of industrial action.

“We call on the press, students, parents, and other stakeholders to urge the government to act so that ASUU is not blamed if and when it resumes its suspended strike,” he warned.