News

ASUU Suspends Warning Strike, Issues FG 4 Weeks Ultimatum to Address Demands

Published

2 months ago

October 22, 2025

Eric

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended the two-week warning strike it began on October 13, 2025.

The strike, which would have expired next Monday next week, was suspended following renewed commitments from the Federal government and the National Assembly to address the union’s demands.

ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the suspension during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, citing recent interventions and engagements with the Yayale Ahmed-led committee and the Deputy Senate President as the reasons for suspending the action before its scheduled end.

However, the lecturers urged the government to take advantage of the one-month suspension window to meet their demands, which include the review of the 2009 ASUU-Federal government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and disbursement of the university revitalisation fund, among others.

ASUU also warned that the union would resume the industrial action without prior notice if no concrete steps are taken within the next one month.

On October 12, ASUU declared a two-week “total and comprehensive” strike following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on September 28.

ASUU based its two-week warning strike on the Federal government’s failure to address issues concerning staff welfare, infrastructure development, implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, and payment of salary arrears.

Following ASUU’s strike declaration, however, the Federal government faulted the union for the industrial action, saying it was addressing its demands.

It later directed varsities to implement a “no work, no pay” policy following the strike.

“In line with extant provisions of labour laws, the Federal government reiterates its position on the enforcement of the ‘no work, no pay’ policy in respect of any employee who fails to discharge his or her official duties during the period of strike action,” the Ministry of Education said in a circular read.

It also ordered vice-chancellors to conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of academic staff in their institutions and submit reports showing those on duty.

Last week, the Senate stepped in to intervene in the industrial dispute between the ASUU and the Federal government.

It expressed concern over the government’s inability to meet ASUU’s demands, describing the situation as unacceptable.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Aliyu Dandutse, disclosed after a closed-door session with the leadership of ASUU.

He further noted that the Senate would immediately initiate a negotiation process involving key stakeholders, including ASUU, the Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC), to chart a path toward a permanent resolution of the crisis.

To address the controversial issue surrounding the University of Abuja land, the committee confirmed that the Senate would also engage with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to find an amicable solution.

News

Appeal Court Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Impounding Vehicles, Fining Motorists

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld the judgment that stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court found no basis to set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which restrained the VIO from harassing motorists.

The appeal filed by the VIO was dismissed for lacking merit. Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi delivered in the lead judgment.

The high court had earlier ruled, in a judgment by Justice Nkeonye Maha, that no law authorizes the VIO to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose penalties for alleged traffic offences.

The case arose from a fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by lawyer Abubakar Marshal.

Marshal informed the court that VIO officials stopped him at Jabi in Abuja on December 12, 2023, and seized his vehicle without lawful reason. He asked the court to determine whether their actions violated his rights.

Justice Maha agreed and ordered the VIO and its agents not to impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists, describing the actions as unlawful. She held that only a court can impose fines or sanctions.

She ruled that the VIO’s conduct breached the applicant’s constitutional right to property under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter. She further held that the VIO has no legal authority to seize vehicles or penalize motorists, as doing so infringes on rights to fair hearing, movement and presumption of innocence.

Although Marshal, represented by Femi Falana, SAN, requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded ₦2.5 million.

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, its Abuja Area Commander at the time (identified as Mr. Leo), team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister were listed as respondents.

They appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

News

Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Dambazau, Enang, Ohakim As Ambassadors

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and a former Chief of Naval Staff, as a non-career ambassador.

Tinubu also nominated Ita Enang, a former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, as non-career ambassadors.

News

Senate Confirms Chris Musa As New Defence Minister

Published

3 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.

According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.

“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.