ASUU-ESUT Suspends 2-Week Industrial Action

The Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities, Enugu State University of Science and Technology chapter, has suspended its two-week warning strike.

The suspension is sequel to the signing of the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 20, 2026 between the Enugu State government, ESUT Management, and ASUU-ESUT.

The Acting Chairman, ASUU, ESUT, Dr Andrew Apeh, told newsmen on Monday that the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU had deliberated on the terms arrived at.

He said NEC of the union granted approval for ASUU-ESUT to suspend the ongoing industrial action with immediate effect in deference to the commitments secured and to the plea of the state government.

According to him, “The suspension is therefore contingent on the good faith implementation of all items contained in the MOU. The Union will remain vigilant and shall constitute a monitoring mechanism to ensure strict adherence to timelines and deliverables as agreed.”

THE WHISTLER reports that parts of the MoU are the implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement in ESUT with phased rollout commencing 1st September, 2026, and concluding 23rd January, 2027, and increased monthly subvention to ESUT by #115,000,000.00, raising the total to #276,000,000.00 to support salary and welfare obligations.

The deal also included the establishment of a Joint Implementation Committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government to oversee and perfect all components of the agreement; review and liquidation of EAA arrears and other outstanding staff entitlements, with a commitment to institutional financial accountability.

Apeh listed others as “The immediate remittance of Third-Party Deductions totaling over N31m to ASUU-ESUT and NUPEMCO accounts”, adding that “ASUU-ESUT acknowledges the decisive intervention of the Enugu State government. The approval to domesticate the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement and the immediate increase in subvention represent a significant step toward addressing long-standing welfare issues in ESUT.”

He said the union appreciated the directive of the government to ESUT Management against any victimization of Union members or leaders on account of Union activities.

Quoting Apeh, “This aligns with the core democratic tenets of our Union. This development is historic for the South East. For context, during the implementation of CONUASS in the past, the South East Zone was the last to comply. Today, Enugu State has taken the lead in committing to the full implementation of the 2025 Agreement. This provides a new template for industrial harmony in the zone.”

The Union thanked NEC of ASUU for its guidance, solidarity, and timely intervention throughout the period of the struggle.

“The ball is now in the court of all parties to ensure faithful implementation. ASUU-ESUT expects full compliance without delay or deviation,” he said.

He said Congress would reconvene to review progress at the appropriate time, and called on all members to return to their duty posts and for students to resume academic activities in earnest.