The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Yobe State University branch, has officially called off its strike action following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Yobe State Government.
The strike, which began on July 11, 2025, was suspended on Monday after the union received approval from the ASUU national president, in line with the resolution reached during the branch congress held on July 25.
In a letter dated July 29 and signed by branch Chairperson, Comrade Ahmed Ibrahim Karage, the union said, “Following the signing of the MoU with the Yobe government today and its transmission to the ASUU president by the zonal coordinator, the president has granted approval to call off the strike action.”
The union urged all academic staff to resume duties immediately to help recover the two weeks lost to the strike. Although specific details of the MoU were not disclosed, ASUU expressed confidence in the government’s commitment to resolving outstanding issues.
Meanwhile, the university’s Acting Registrar, Mallam Garba Ahmadu Girgir, in an earlier circular dated July 25, announced the resumption of full academic activities for both undergraduate and postgraduate students starting Monday, July 28. The announcement was addressed to key administrative heads and posted on the university’s notice boards.
Background to the Strike
On July 11, ASUU YSU declared an indefinite strike over unmet demands, including:
Implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage and 2024 consequential adjustments
Payment of arrears related to the 2019 minimum wage review
Proper placement of academic promotions and annual salary increments
Payment of 35% and 25% salary award adjustments from January 2023
Postgraduate facilitation allowances for staff
Full institutional autonomy for Yobe State University
ASUU Chairman, Dr. Karage, noted that the strike followed months of failed negotiations with the government. “We have exhausted all avenues of dialogue before arriving at this difficult decision,” he said.
The industrial action drew criticism from stakeholders, especially after revelations that the Yobe government approved ₦300 million for a social media influencers’ workshop at the upscale Ruffles Suite Hotel in Kaduna during the strike. Critics called the spending insensitive amid ongoing disruptions in the education sector.
The suspension of the strike marks a significant relief for students and academic staff, who can now resume academic activities after weeks of uncertainty.