ASUU has threatened a fresh strike over the government’s failure to honor agreements and fund universities.
The union rejected new loan schemes, demanding better pay, revitalization funds, and improved working conditions.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned of a possible strike due to the federal government’s continued neglect of agreements and unresolved issues affecting Nigeria’s public universities.
During a press conference held on Thursday at the University of Jos, ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, expressed that the union has lost patience after waiting more than two years for the government to implement key commitments.
Piwuna accused the federal government of deliberately stalling the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, failing to settle salary arrears, and refusing to release funds for university revitalization. He argued that the government’s delays, despite receiving the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed Committee report in February 2025, represent a breach of trust and a violation of international labor standards concerning collective bargaining.
“Trust has been destroyed by the government. It is, therefore, up to them to regain it to avert any strike,” declared the ASUU president.
The union also rejected the recently introduced Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), which offers loans to lecturers. Piwuna described the scheme as a “poison chalice,” insisting that what lecturers need are improved wages and sustainable funding, not debt obligations that would worsen their financial burdens. He noted that many academic staff are already struggling with existing loans and urged the government to prioritize better pay and working conditions.
ASUU further condemned the rapid licensing of new universities, accusing governments of using them for political gains. According to the union, Nigeria now has 339 universities, many of which lack adequate staff and infrastructure. They urged the federal government to extend the current moratorium on establishing new public universities to private ones as well.
The plight of retired professors was also highlighted. Piwuna stated that many former lecturers who had served the country for decades are receiving pensions as low as ₦150,000 monthly under the Contributory Pension Scheme, describing this situation as unacceptable given the current economic climate.
Following its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, ASUU resolved to give the government until its scheduled meeting on August 28 to address the pending issues. However, the union announced that rallies would be staged on campuses nationwide next week as a warning signal.
“We cannot continue this journey with empty tanks. If the government fails to act, ASUU will have no choice but to take action to defend public university education,” warned Piwuna.
ASUU reiterated its demands, which include:
- Full renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement
- Release of funds for university revitalization
- Adequate and sustainable funding for the tertiary education sector
- Protection of members from victimization
The union stressed that the responsibility for any impending industrial action lies squarely with the federal government.
