ASUU Slams Federal Government Over Inaction, Demands Concrete Action On 2009 Agreement.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has voiced its growing frustration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, accusing it of failing to address critical issues affecting university lecturers and the education sector at large. In a strongly worded statement, ASUU’s National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, declared that the union’s patience is wearing thin due to the government’s persistent delays in honouring the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement. The union has warned that only a tangible and workable counteroffer will suffice to avert potential industrial action.
Speaking to journalists, Professor Piwuna expressed dismay at the government’s reliance on empty promises, stating, “Our members are tired of words and no action.” The 2009 agreement, which serves as the cornerstone for lecturers’ welfare and university funding, has not been reviewed as stipulated, despite repeated calls from ASUU for renegotiation. The union’s demands include the full payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), immediate disbursement of university revitalisation funds, an end to salary stagnation, and improved welfare packages for academic staff.
The Minister of Education, Professor Tunji Alausa, recently announced that a technical committee, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Abel Enitan, is working on a “clean proposal” to address ASUU’s concerns. However, the union remains sceptical, insisting that only a concrete and actionable plan will be acceptable. “We truly hope they will come up with something tangible,” Piwuna remarked, warning that failure to act could disrupt the fragile stability in Nigeria’s public universities.
ASUU’s Ibadan Zone, comprising institutions such as the University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, echoed these sentiments during a press conference at the University of Ibadan. Zonal Coordinator Professor Biodun Olaniran condemned the government’s failure to fund university revitalisation and uphold university autonomy. He highlighted the dire state of public universities, noting that Nigeria’s education budget of just seven per cent in 2025 falls significantly short of UNESCO’s recommended 15–26 per cent. “Laboratories are under-equipped, lecture halls are overcrowded, and student accommodations are deplorable,” Olaniran stated, urging Nigerians to pressure the government to act.
The union also raised concerns about the victimisation of its members in institutions like Lagos State University and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, where lecturers face alleged persecution for their union activities. ASUU has called on stakeholders and the public to hold the Federal Government accountable, warning that continued inaction could lead to a nationwide strike. “We are peace-loving, but we will not stand by while the welfare and dignity of our members are trampled upon,” Olaniran added.
In a related development, lecturers at the Federal University Wukari staged protests, decrying the government’s neglect and describing the current salary structure for Nigerian lecturers as “humiliating.” The union has also rejected the government’s Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund loan scheme, labelling it a “poisoned chalice” that fails to address their legitimate entitlements, such as unpaid salaries and promotion arrears.
As tensions rise, ASUU has urged the Federal Government to engage directly with its leadership to resolve the 16-year stalemate and prevent further disruptions to the academic calendar. The union’s firm stance underscores its commitment to salvaging Nigeria’s public universities from further decline, with Professor Piwuna calling on President Bola Tinubu to honour his 2022 campaign pledge to prevent university strikes. For now, the nation waits to see whether the government will deliver on its promises or risk plunging the education sector into another crisis.