The Federal Government has expressed surprise and disappointment over the decision of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to commence a two-week warning strike, insisting that all the union’s demands have already been addressed.

Gossip News Now reports that ASUU, on Sunday, announced a total and comprehensive warning strike across all public universities, with the directive taking effect from midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025.

The union’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, made the announcement during a press briefing at the University of Abuja, stating that all ASUU branches were to withdraw their services for the duration of the strike.

However, reacting during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, appealed to the lecturers to return to the classrooms, stressing that the government had met their key requests.

“We have addressed every single request by ASUU; there is no need for this strike, and we are pleading with them to go back to school,” Alausa said.

He noted that the Tinubu administration has shown consistent commitment to engaging constructively with the union and prioritizing the welfare of university lecturers.

“We need to keep our children in school. If there is any group I have met with the most since assuming this position, it is ASUU,” the minister added.

Alausa dismissed claims that the Federal Government had been slow or unwilling to act on ASUU’s grievances, emphasizing that President Bola Tinubu remains dedicated to maintaining fair and transparent relations with all labour unions.

He reiterated that the government’s door remains open for dialogue and urged ASUU to reconsider its stance in the interest of students and national stability.