RismadarVoice Reporters, May 12, 2026
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that Nigeria’s public university system may be thrown into another round of industrial action if the Federal Government and state authorities fail to properly implement the 2025 renegotiated agreement.
The warning followed rising dissatisfaction within the union over what it described as a “distorted and uncoordinated” execution of the December 2025 deal, which was meant to resolve longstanding disputes over welfare, funding, and university autonomy.
In a statement issued after its National Executive Council meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, ASUU President Chris Piwuna said the momentum generated by the agreement was already weakening due to poor implementation.
The union accused the Federal Government of failing to set up a promised implementation monitoring committee, which was expected to ensure smooth execution of the agreement and prevent bureaucratic delays.
ASUU also alleged that only partial and inconsistent implementation had taken place, with some state governments and university administrators selectively applying provisions such as allowances and salary adjustments.
A key component of the agreement was a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff in federal tertiary institutions, which the union said has not been fully and uniformly implemented across the system.
The union further raised concerns over unresolved issues including salary arrears, promotion backlogs, withheld allowances, and pension delays affecting retired lecturers.
ASUU warned that frustration among academics was growing and could trigger a fresh wave of strikes if the government fails to act urgently.
It also criticised recent education policy decisions by the Federal Government, including proposals on research funding, curriculum changes, and foreign university partnerships, arguing that they undermine existing agreements and national education autonomy.
Calling for presidential intervention, the union urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Visitor to federal universities, to address lingering welfare and funding disputes to prevent disruption of academic activities.
ASUU stated that it would convene an emergency NEC meeting in the coming weeks to review developments and determine its next line of action, as tensions continue to rise within Nigeria’s university system.
