Fresh Strike Looms As ASUU Fires Warning At Federal Government

The union accused the government of failing to fully implement the agreement reached with ASUU in December 2025.

The warning was issued during a press conference held at Benue State University in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Speaking at the briefing were the ASUU Nsukka Zonal Coordinator, Christian Opata, and the union’s National Investment Officer, Celesine Aguoru.

Opata stated that the December 2025 agreement, expected to take effect from January 2026, had not been properly implemented.

According to him, the Federal Government failed to provide adequate funding needed for the complete execution of the agreement.

He explained that although some aspects had been partially implemented, several major welfare provisions were still outstanding.

Among the unresolved issues, he listed the Consolidated Tools Allowances, Earned Academic Allowances and Professorial Allowances.

Opata noted that these allowances had yet to be incorporated into the Consolidated Academic Staff Salary Structure as part of lecturers’ monthly earnings.

He lamented that hopes of resolving long-standing welfare concerns in public universities had continued to suffer setbacks due to the government’s inability to act decisively.

The ASUU official also said several arrears and deductions owed to lecturers remained unpaid despite the agreement signed by both parties.

“As of the time of this press conference, arrears arising from the 25-35 per cent salary award, promotion arrears, unpaid third-party deductions, including check-off dues, cooperative contributions and pension remittances, salary shortfalls linked to the introduction of IPPIS, as well as the withheld three-and-a-half months salaries resulting from the 2022 ASUU industrial action, remain unpaid,” Opata said.

He stressed that the delay had further worsened the welfare conditions of lecturers in public universities.

Opata also faulted the Federal Government for failing to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee provided for in the 2025 agreement.

According to him, the committee was meant to ensure proper implementation of the agreement and prevent bureaucratic bottlenecks.

He argued that the failure to set up the committee had already affected the smooth execution of critical aspects of the agreement.

The ASUU leader further criticised the proposed National Research Council announced in April by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa.

He said the union was excluded from the process despite being a key stakeholder in matters concerning research development in Nigerian universities.

According to ASUU, major policies affecting universities and research development should involve academic stakeholders to ensure transparency, credibility and effectiveness.

Backing Opata’s position, ASUU National Investment Officer, Celesine Aguoru, warned Nigerians not to blame the union if another shutdown occurs in public universities.

Aguoru insisted that the Federal Government should be held responsible for failing to honour agreements freely entered into with the union.

“If an agreement signed by both parties cannot be respected by the government, Nigerians should hold the government responsible if universities are shut down,” he said.

He maintained that ASUU was not eager to embark on another strike but could not continue to watch the government neglect agreements affecting lecturers’ welfare and the survival of public universities.

Aguoru appealed to Nigerians, parents, students and other stakeholders to pressure the Federal Government to address ASUU’s demands before the situation escalates.

The latest warning comes despite repeated assurances by the current administration that it would end the frequent disruptions in Nigerian universities caused by industrial actions.

ASUU has consistently accused successive governments of failing to honour agreements reached with the union, a situation that has repeatedly triggered prolonged strikes in the university system.

The union warned that the continued delay in implementing the 2025 agreement could once again threaten academic stability in public universities if urgent action is not taken.