Factional Nigerian University Lecturers’ Union CONUA Distances Itself From ASUU Strike, Says It’s Committed To Academic Stability
Factional Nigerian University Lecturers’ Union CONUA Distances Itself From ASUU Strike, Says It’s Committed To Academic Stability
Sunmonu appealed to university vice-chancellors across the country to guarantee the safety and protection of CONUA members who continue to perform their legitimate academic duties during the strike period.
The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has declared that it is not part of the ongoing nationwide strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
In a statement issued on Monday, CONUA’s National President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, dismissed reports linking the union to the industrial action, insisting that it remains committed to promoting academic stability across Nigerian universities.
“It is important to emphasize that CONUA has no basis at this time to declare a dispute or embark on any strike action,” Sunmonu said.
He explained that CONUA believes in resolving issues through constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement with the government and relevant stakeholders, rather than through disruption of academic activities.
“The union formally protested this exclusion, which eventually culminated in a meeting with the minister of education on 11 September 2025,” the statement added.
“We are pleased to note that the ministry of education has recently expanded the committee, fulfilling that promise.
“Until CONUA is formally brought to the table and any of the issues it has presented to the federal government becomes subjects of dispute, there is no foundation whatsoever for any strike action by CONUA.
“Resolutions from nationwide congresses following the 11 September meeting, the national leadership reported the outcome to members across universities, after which congresses were held between 18 and 24 September 2025.
“At these congresses, members unanimously reaffirmed CONUA’s principled stance that no strike action should be taken and that engagement, not disruption, remains the best path forward for the Nigerian university system.”
Sunmonu appealed to university vice-chancellors across the country to guarantee the safety and protection of CONUA members who continue to perform their legitimate academic duties during the strike period.
He also encouraged students to stay focused on their studies and not be discouraged by the ongoing industrial dispute affecting some institutions.
Formed in 2018, CONUA emerged as a breakaway faction of ASUU, founded by lecturers who opposed the use of strikes as a bargaining strategy with the government.
Meanwhile, on October 13, the ASUU declared a two-week warning strike, citing years of unmet agreements and government neglect of the education sector.
In response, the Federal Ministry of Education accused ASUU of being uncooperative despite ongoing negotiations and repeated appeals for dialogue. The ministry also warned that it might enforce the “no work, no pay” policy, reiterating that sustained dialogue remains the only path to resolving the long-standing issues.
