Students and parents are understandably anxious whenever the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is in the news. Here is a clear summary of where things stand as of late October 2026.
Is there a nationwide ASUU strike?
No nationwide strike is in force as of late October 2026. However, ASUU has threatened one. After an emergency National Executive Council meeting in September 2026, ASUU President Christopher Piwuna warned that the union could resume its suspended nationwide strike over:
- Poor and selective implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement.
- Three and a half months of withheld salaries not yet paid, out of 7.5 months withheld under “no work, no pay”.
- Unremitted pension, cooperative and check-off deductions, and promotion arrears.
The 2025 agreement provided for a 40% increase in lecturers’ pay from 1 January 2026, implementation of which began in February 2026.
Universities affected by local strikes
| University | Status (late October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Taraba State University, Jalingo | Indefinite strike since 12 October 2026 over salary structure and arrears. ASUU has banned online lectures during the strike. |
| LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH | Strike suspended around 9 October 2026. Lecturers directed to resume immediately. |
| Gombe State University | Planned strike suspended in August 2026 to give the state government time. |
The 20 universities given a 14-day ultimatum in August
At its NEC meeting of 8 to 9 August 2026, ASUU directed branches in 20 mostly state-owned universities to prepare for strike action over non-implementation of the agreement. They included NSUK, IBBUL, UNIMED Ondo, Gombe State University, PLASU, AAUA, the University of Education and Entrepreneurship Akamkpa, ABSU, IMSU, NDU, Taraba State University, AAU Ekpoma, OAUSTECH, ESUT, KASU, KUST Wudil, Northwest University Kano, University of Africa Toru-Orua, Bayelsa Medical University and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo.
Several of these disputes are being negotiated with state governments. Students at these schools should follow official notices from their university.
What students should do
- Follow your university’s official website and social media pages, not rumours.
- Keep studying. When strikes are called off, schools often compress the calendar and exams come quickly.
- Fresh students should still complete acceptance and clearance where portals are open.