ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the suspension during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, explaining that the decision followed recent interventions by the Yayale Ahmed-led committee and the Deputy Senate President.
He urged the government to use the one-month suspension window to fulfil its obligations, which include reviewing the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government Agreement, paying outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and releasing funds for university revitalisation.
Piwuna warned that ASUU would resume the strike without further notice if no concrete progress is made within the next one month.
Earlier, on October 12, the union had declared a two-week “total and comprehensive” strike, citing the government’s failure to honour past agreements and improve working conditions in universities.
Following the declaration, the Federal Government criticised the strike and invoked the “No Work, No Pay” policy, directing vice-chancellors to take attendance and submit records of active staff members.
Meanwhile, the Senate, through its Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, led by Senator Aliyu Dandutse, has waded into the crisis, pledging to mediate between ASUU and the government to find a lasting solution.
The committee also confirmed plans to engage with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on resolving the ongoing dispute over land allocation to the University of Abuja.
