IBBUL ASUU Suspends Strike Conditionally After Niger Government Engagement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL) Chapter, has conditionally suspended its strike following an engagement with the Niger State Government and subsequent deliberations by the union’s congress.

The decision brings an end to more than a month of industrial action at the university, although ASUU Chairman, Dr. Galadima Ambala, stressed that the strike was suspended conditionally rather than permanently called off.

Speaking after the congress, Bala said the decision was taken to honour the Niger State Governor, while also considering the impact of the prolonged strike on students and their parents.

He said the suspension would provide an opportunity for continued discussions with the state government on outstanding issues, adding that the union expects commitments reached with the government to be fulfilled.

Bala said the decision of the congress was collective and binding on members, urging academic staff to begin preparing to return to their duty posts.

He also clarified that ASUU had not directed students to leave the university and would therefore not independently issue a directive for their return. According to him, arrangements concerning students’ resumption would be handled by the university management.

The development comes as the university, under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, is expected to review the academic calendar to account for the period lost to the strike.

A university official said the management would revise the 2025/2026 academic calendar and make the new schedule available to students following the suspension of the industrial action.

Meanwhile, Comrade Abiola Sarafadeen Babatunde, Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), North Central Axis, said the student body visited IBBUL to verify the status of the strike after learning of the agreement reached between the government, ASUU and the university management.

Babatunde urged students to prepare for academic activities, remain law-abiding and avoid cultism, gangsterism, hooliganism and sexual harassment.

He also called on students to make effective use of the remaining period of the academic session as the university works towards restoring normal academic activities.