ASUU Warns of Fresh Nationwide Strike Over Delayed 2025 Agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned that Nigeria’s public university system may be heading toward another industrial crisis over what it described as the Federal Government’s slow and inconsistent implementation of the 2025 agreement reached with the union.

Speaking during a press conference at the ASUU secretariat of the University of Jos on Monday, branch leaders said growing frustration among lecturers across the country could trigger fresh industrial action if urgent steps were not taken by the Federal Government.

 The union disclosed that its National Executive Council (NEC), which met at Modibbo Adama University on May 9 and 10, 2026, reviewed the level of implementation of the December 23, 2025 agreement signed with the Federal Government and expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of compliance.

According to ASUU, one of the major concerns is the Federal Government’s failure to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), which was created to supervise and ensure proper execution of the agreement.

The union argued that the absence of the committee has resulted in what it described as “selective and distorted implementation” of critical salary and welfare components.

ASUU specifically listed unresolved issues surrounding the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CATA), Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), Professorial Allowance and responsibility allowances.

The union, however, commended Sa’adu Zungur University and Ekiti State University for partially implementing aspects of the agreement, while urging other institutions and relevant authorities to act swiftly to avoid a nationwide breakdown of industrial harmony.

ASUU also criticised the Federal Government’s newly established National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), unveiled by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, without consultation with the union.

The lecturers’ union questioned the proposed dollar-denominated funding framework of the initiative, warning that it could expose Nigeria’s education system to external influence and what it termed “neo-liberal control mechanisms.”

The union insisted that research funding provisions already captured in the 2025 agreement should be respected and fully implemented instead of introducing parallel arrangements.

ASUU further raised concerns over unresolved welfare matters affecting university lecturers nationwide, including unpaid arrears of the 25/35 per cent wage award, promotion arrears, withheld salaries from the 2022 strike action, salary shortfalls linked to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and unremitted third-party deductions.

The union maintained that the withholding of salaries under the “no work, no pay” policy remained unjustifiable, arguing that academic staff continued to carry out research and community-based engagements during the strike period.

The union also drew attention to the welfare challenges facing retired academics, particularly in state-owned universities, citing delays in pension harmonization and unpaid pension arrears.

 It appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and address the plight of affected retirees.

Beyond welfare issues, ASUU criticised recent education policy decisions by the Federal Government, including the reversal of the mother-tongue instruction policy in early childhood education and the proposed Transnational Education arrangement involving Coventry University, which the union described as a “neo-colonial academic model.”

The union also opposed plans to scrap certain university courses, insisting that every academic discipline contributes meaningfully to national development.

ASUU equally faulted proposals to introduce titles such as “Professor of Practice” and “Diaspora Professor,” warning that such measures could erode university autonomy and academic standards.

The union further expressed concern over worsening economic hardship, insecurity and rising political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that growing poverty and unemployment were deepening public frustration across the country.

It cautioned that failure by the Federal Government to implement the agreement and settle outstanding entitlements could provoke another round of industrial action.

“Government insensitivity to these issues is brewing pent-up anger that may erupt if not properly managed,” the union warned.

The press conference ended with a call on the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to urgently ensure full implementation of the agreement in order to safeguard stability within Nigeria’s public university system.