The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned that Nigeria’s public university system could witness another round of industrial action if governments fail to fully implement the 2025 agreement signed with the union.
The warning followed the union’s National Executive Council meeting held at Modibbo Adama University in Yola on May 9 and 10, 2026.
In a statement released by ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, the union expressed frustration over what it described as the slow and uncoordinated implementation of the agreement reached with the Federal Government.
According to ASUU, the excitement that followed the signing of the agreement in January 2026 is gradually fading because several promises made to lecturers are yet to be fulfilled.
The union explained that it remained silent for months after the agreement was signed, hoping that authorities would implement the deal without unnecessary delays.
ASUU Raises Concern Over Delayed Agreement
ASUU accused both federal and state authorities of failing to properly execute important parts of the agreement.
The union said the committee expected to monitor the implementation process has not been inaugurated, making the entire process disorganised.
It also alleged that some university administrators selectively implemented allowances such as:
- Earned Academic Allowance
- Consolidated Academic Allowance
- Professorial Allowance
ASUU insisted that these benefits should be fully integrated into lecturers’ salary structures.
The union further criticised some state governments for refusing to comply with agreements they participated in during negotiations.
Welfare Issues Still Unresolved
ASUU stated that several welfare-related matters affecting lecturers are still pending.
These include:
- Salary arrears
- Promotion arrears
- Withheld salaries from the 2022 strike
- Pension delays for retired lecturers
- Unremitted deductions
- Salary shortfalls linked to IPPIS
The union called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally intervene and address the growing concerns in the university system.
ASUU warned that frustration among lecturers is increasing and could eventually lead to another nationwide strike if urgent action is not taken.
Union Rejects Some Education Policies
The union also opposed some recent education proposals introduced by the Federal Government.
ASUU criticised plans for a foreign university partnership involving Coventry University, arguing that such arrangements could weaken local universities.
It also rejected the proposed compulsory enrolment of academics into the Nigeria Education Repository Databank, describing it as a threat to academic freedom and data privacy.
The union further opposed plans to scrap courses considered “irrelevant,” insisting that humanities and social sciences remain important for innovation and critical thinking.
ASUU Warns of Fresh Industrial Action
ASUU stressed that continued neglect of lecturers’ welfare and unresolved agreement issues could push the union toward another industrial action.
The union added that its National Executive Council would meet again in the coming weeks to review developments and decide the next line of action.
The warning is likely to increase concerns among students and parents already worried about repeated disruptions in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
With tensions rising between ASUU and the government once again, many Nigerians fear that another university strike could disrupt academic activities across the country if urgent steps are not taken to resolve the lingering issues.
