• The Academic Staff Union of Universities warns of possible fresh nationwide strike over delayed implementation of the 2025 agreement
• ASUU accused the Federal Government and state governments of implementing the agreement in a “distorted and uncoordinated” manner
• Outstanding welfare concerns raised by ASUU include salary arrears, withheld salaries, promotion arrears, pension delays, and payroll-related shortfalls

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned that Nigeria’s public universities may be heading toward another round of industrial action if the Federal Government and state 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 between May 9 and 10, 2026.

In a statement released on Monday, May 11, by ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, the union expressed frustration over what it described as the “distorted and uncoordinated” implementation of the agreement reached with the Federal Government in December 2025.

ASUU said it had deliberately remained silent since the agreement was publicly unveiled in January 2026 but could no longer ignore the growing concerns surrounding its implementation.

“This interactive session was called to present the outcome of our review of the implementation of the signed agreement and other outstanding issues following the NEC meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, 9th–10th May, 2026,” the statement read.

According to the union, the enthusiasm that followed the unveiling of the agreement on January 14, 2026, is gradually fading because governments at both federal and state levels have allegedly failed to fulfill key promises.

“The momentum generated with the unveiling of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement on 14th January, 2026 is fast waning and may soon be lost if government’s promise to fully implement the agreement is not kept,” ASUU stated.

The union blamed the situation partly on the failure to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee, which was expected to oversee the proper execution of the agreement.

ASUU further alleged that while a few state governments had complied with parts of the agreement, many others had ignored it despite participating in negotiations.

It also accused some federal university administrators of selectively implementing components such as Consolidated Academic Allowances, Earned Academic Allowances, and Professorial Allowances instead of integrating them into the Consolidated Academic Salary Structure.

The union reaffirmed its determination to secure the benefits of what it called the gains of its eight-year negotiation process spanning 2017 to 2025.

ASUU also raised concerns about the Federal Government’s proposed National Research Council and the planned National Research and Innovation Development Fund announced by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.

According to the union, the proposal contradicts provisions of the 2025 agreement, which recommended that at least one per cent of Nigeria’s GDP be dedicated to research, innovation, and development.

ASUU questioned the proposed $500 million funding model and expressed fears over possible external borrowing.

On welfare issues, the union said several challenges affecting lecturers remain unresolved.

These include salary arrears, promotion arrears, withheld salaries from the 2022 strike, salary shortfalls linked to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, and unremitted deductions.

The union also decried delays in pension payments for retired lecturers, especially in state-owned universities, accusing the National Pension Commission of slowing down pension harmonisation processes.

ASUU called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally intervene in resolving the lingering welfare concerns affecting lecturers across the country.

Beyond welfare matters, the union criticised several education policies introduced by the government. It opposed the reversal of the mother-tongue policy in early childhood education, describing the move as retrogressive.

ASUU also rejected plans to establish a campus of Coventry University in Nigeria under a transnational education arrangement, warning that such a move could weaken local universities.

The union equally faulted the compulsory enrolment of academics into the Nigeria Education Repository Databank, arguing that it violates academic autonomy and data protection laws.

It also opposed proposals to scrap courses considered “irrelevant,” insisting that humanities and social science programmes remain crucial for critical thinking, innovation, and national development.

ASUU further expressed concerns over alleged maladministration and questionable academic appointments in some universities.

The union warned that rising political tension, insecurity, and worsening economic hardship ahead of the 2027 general elections could deepen frustration among lecturers and trigger another nationwide strike.

ASUU urged Nigerians to pressure governments at all levels to fully implement the agreement and address all unresolved issues, adding that its NEC would reconvene in the coming weeks to assess developments and decide on further actions if necessary.

FG begins implementation with ASUU welfare agreement, approves 40% allowance increase

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government had commenced implementation of a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance for ASUU members effective January 2026.

The implementation followed the renegotiated FG–ASUU agreement aimed at improving academic welfare, funding, and university autonomy.