ASUU Charges FG To Settle Arrears Amid Threat Of Renewed Strike

The Abuja Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the Federal Government to implement the 2009 agreement and release three-and-a-half months of withheld salaries to forestall a fresh strike.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Al-Amin Abdullahi, made the appeal at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, cautioning that continued neglect of the education sector threatens Nigeria’s future.

“There is a crisis affecting universities across Nigeria, and it is not only ASUU’s problem—it is a national problem,” Abdullahi stated. “The deliberate undermining of the nation’s future and endangerment of generations yet unborn stems from the country’s disregard for education. Until Nigeria establishes a university system that guarantees effective education, world-class research, innovation, and sustainable development, ASUU will not relent.”

Key Demands of Abuja Zone:

• Payment of promotion arrears for members

• Unconditional release of three-and-a-half months’ withheld salaries

• Transfer of third-party deductions to the union and cooperatives

• Settlement of one-year arrears for the 25/35% salary increment

• Implementation of new academic conditions of service

• Adoption of UTAS as the standard university payment system

Deteriorating University Infrastructure
Abdullahi lamented the chronic underfunding of universities by successive administrations, resulting in decaying infrastructure. “Classrooms are overcrowded, laboratories are poorly equipped, and hostels are uninhabitable,” he said.

He warned that the neglect has created unconducive learning environments and contributed to the declining global rankings of Nigerian universities. The ASUU leader urged both federal and state governments to prioritize education by increasing annual budgetary allocations, in line with UNESCO recommendations.

Abdullahi acknowledged that dialogue with the government has prevented nationwide strikes over the past two years but stressed that unresolved issues could trigger renewed industrial action.

He also highlighted outstanding items in the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, including the revitalization of public universities, university autonomy, academic freedom, and renegotiation of conditions of service. “The reassessment of legal frameworks regulating bodies such as the National Universities Commission and JAMB remains unaddressed,” he added.