ASUU Announces Nationwide Protest On Tuesday, 26 August.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared Tuesday, 26 August 2025, as a day of protest across public university campuses in Nigeria. The announcement, made on Saturday, signals the union’s growing frustration with the federal government’s persistent neglect of critical issues plaguing the education sector.
In a statement shared via its official channels, ASUU expressed deep dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to address longstanding concerns, including inadequate funding, delayed salary payments, and unfulfilled agreements. The union highlighted that these unresolved matters have severely hampered academic activities and the welfare of university staff. The planned protest is intended to draw attention to these challenges and press for immediate action.
The decision follows a series of grievances outlined by ASUU in recent weeks. On 19 August, the union issued a communiqué accusing the government of dragging its feet on critical issues, such as the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, which remains stalled despite a draft being submitted in December 2024. ASUU also rejected a proposed Tertiary Institutional Staff Support Fund scheme, which would require the union to act as a guarantor for loans, a move they described as unacceptable.
Professor Chris Piwuna, ASUU’s National President, emphasised that the protest is a precursor to potential further action, including a nationwide strike. “We have given the government ample time to address these issues, but their inaction leaves us no choice,” Piwuna stated. He cited ongoing financial hardships faced by lecturers, exacerbated by delays in salary payments, which have been worsened by the transition from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
The protest will see academic activities halted for the day, with lecturers across the country expected to participate in peaceful demonstrations on their respective campuses. ASUU branches at institutions such as the University of Jos and the University of Abuja have already shown strong support for the union’s stance, with some already engaging in strike actions earlier this year over similar concerns.
The union has also called for the release of the remaining ₦10 billion of the ₦50 billion approved for Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), warning that continued delays could escalate tensions. ASUU’s leadership has urged the public to support their cause, arguing that a well-funded and functional education system is critical to Nigeria’s development.
As the 26 August protest approaches, stakeholders in the education sector are bracing for potential disruptions. Many parents and students, already burdened by economic challenges, fear that this could be a prelude to another prolonged academic shutdown. ASUU, however, remains resolute, insisting that the government must honour its commitments to avert a broader crisis.
The federal government has yet to respond officially to ASUU’s latest announcement. With the protest just days away, all eyes are on how authorities will address the union’s demands to prevent further escalation.