The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a fresh ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that failure to address its long-standing demands within the coming weeks may result in another nationwide strike across Nigerian public universities.
In a statement issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, ASUU decried what it described as the government’s continued failure to honour previous agreements and its deliberate neglect of the public university system.
The union stated that the Federal Government had been given a deadline to take concrete action or face an industrial action that could again disrupt academic activities across the country.
ASUU’s Demands
ASUU listed several unresolved issues as the basis for the looming strike, including:
* Non-implementation of the 2009 FG-ASUU Agreement
* Withheld salaries of academic staff due to previous strikes
* Underfunding of universities and poor infrastructure
* The government’s failure to adopt the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), developed as an alternative to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS)
* Concerns over unilateral implementation of policies affecting university autonomy
The union noted that, despite multiple meetings and assurances from government officials, no significant progress had been made.
“We cannot continue to rely on empty promises. The Federal Government must demonstrate sincerity and urgency. If nothing changes, the union will be left with no choice but to take decisive action,” the statement said.
Down Memory Lane
ASUU has repeatedly clashed with successive governments over issues ranging from poor funding to staff welfare and institutional autonomy.
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The union’s most recent nationwide strike, which lasted eight months in 2022, severely disrupted academic calendars and left thousands of students stranded.
Despite resumed negotiations and intermittent talks, the union claims that the Federal Government has shown a consistent pattern of policy inconsistency, financial neglect, and insincerity in implementing agreed-upon reforms in the education sector.
Government Yet to Respond
As of the time of filing this report, the Ministry of Education and other relevant federal agencies had yet to issue an official response to ASUU’s warning.
Stakeholders across the education sector have expressed concern over the potential impact of another strike, urging both parties to resolve the impasse through meaningful dialogue and timely action.
Students, parents, and education advocates are also calling on the Federal Government to prioritise education, warning that continued disruption could have long-term consequences for national development and youth empowerment.
The Dilemma
With the deadline approaching and tensions rising, there is growing anxiety across campuses nationwide. While ASUU maintains that strike action is a last resort, it insists that the government must take urgent steps to avoid another shutdown of the public university system.
