ABUJA, Nigeria — The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a warning to the Federal Government of Nigeria, demanding full implementation of the long-standing 2009 FG/ASUU agreement or risk a nationwide industrial action.
At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, May 23, 2025, ASUU President Dr. Chris Piwuna expressed the union’s deep frustration with what he described as the government’s continued failure to resolve nine critical issues affecting Nigeria’s public university system.
“The renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement has remained stalled since 2017, and our members have suffered undue hardship due to the government’s neglect,” Piwuna said.
Among the grievances highlighted were the withholding of lecturers’ salaries during the 2022 strike and ongoing delays in the release of revitalisation funds and earned academic allowances.
The union also raised concerns about unpaid entitlements arising from the controversial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which ASUU has consistently opposed.
Dr. Piwuna criticised the government for what he described as unfulfilled promises, including a pledge to inject ₦150 billion into the university system and to adjust irregular allowances by 2026.
He also decried the alleged marginalisation and victimisation of ASUU members at some state-owned universities, notably Kogi State University and Lagos State University, citing job insecurity, salary denial, and political interference in academic governance.
“Our universities are becoming battlegrounds for political and economic interests,” Piwuna said.
He pointed to controversies surrounding the selection of university leaders at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the University of Abuja as examples of political encroachment undermining academic autonomy.
Calling for what he termed a “national rebirth through education,” the ASUU president proposed a national education summit to address issues of funding, university autonomy, and academic welfare.
“Education empowers citizens, drives innovation, and instils values. Without it, development is impossible,” he stated.
“Our universities should be centres for solutions to national challenges. We are open to dialogue but will not tolerate further erosion of our rights.”
ASUU’s threat of industrial action raises the spectre of another disruption to Nigeria’s already fragile tertiary education sector, where years of intermittent strikes have led to prolonged academic calendars and widespread student frustration.
The Federal Ministry of Education has yet to respond publicly to ASUU’s latest demands.
