The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned that public universities across Nigeria may witness another round of industrial action if the Federal Government and state governments fail to fully implement the 2025 agreement reached with the union.
ASUU, in a statement issued after its National Executive Council meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, expressed displeasure over what it described as the poor and distorted implementation of the agreement signed with the Federal Government in December 2025.
According to the union, the agreement was expected to address major issues affecting university lecturers, including improved welfare packages, university autonomy, and better funding for tertiary institutions.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, said the momentum created after the agreement was publicly unveiled in January 2026 was gradually fading due to the government’s failure to properly implement key aspects of the deal.
The union accused the Federal Government of failing to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee meant to oversee and coordinate the execution of the agreement, adding that this had created loopholes and inconsistencies in implementation.
ASUU also alleged that some federal universities selectively implemented only parts of the agreement relating to allowances, while neglecting the full integration of approved benefits into the salary structure of lecturers.
The union further criticised several state governments for allegedly refusing to implement the agreement despite participating in the negotiation process.
It warned that frustration among lecturers was growing and could lead to renewed industrial unrest if unresolved welfare issues persisted.
ASUU noted that unresolved matters include unpaid promotion arrears, salary shortfalls linked to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, withheld salaries from the 2022 strike period, unremitted third-party deductions, and delays in pension payments to retired lecturers.
The union also faulted some recent education policy decisions by the Federal Government, including the proposed establishment of foreign university campuses in Nigeria and plans to scrap certain university courses considered irrelevant.
According to ASUU, such policies could further weaken the country’s tertiary education system instead of improving it.
The union equally opposed the compulsory enrollment of lecturers into the Nigeria Education Repository Databank, describing it as an infringement on academic independence and institutional autonomy.
ASUU called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the lingering issues affecting university lecturers in order to prevent another disruption of academic activities nationwide.
