The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has sent a clear signal to the Federal Government that a massive industrial action looms across the nation’s public universities.
This fresh warning follows the perceived failure of both federal and state authorities to honor the terms of the agreement reached with the union in December 2025.
Following a crucial National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Modibbo Adama University in Yola between May 9 and 10, 2026, the union voiced deep-seated frustration over the “distorted and uncoordinated” execution of the pact.
Despite the initial optimism that greeted the deal earlier this year, the academic body insists that the government’s lack of commitment is pushing the university system back to the brink of a total shutdown.
In an official communiqué released on Monday by ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, the union clarified that it had deliberately maintained “a studied silence” since the agreement was signed and publicly presented in January 2026.
However, that silence has now ended as the union leaders reviewed the slow pace of progress. According to the statement, “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 leadership warned that the hope generated by the new deal is rapidly evaporating, noting that “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.”
A major point of contention for the union is the government’s refusal to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee, a body designed to oversee the smooth rollout of the agreement.
ASUU has accused university administrators of cherry-picking which parts of the welfare package to implement, specifically regarding the Consolidated Academic Allowances and Professorial Allowances.
Furthermore, the union slammed the Federal Government’s new National Research Council proposal, arguing it contradicts the agreed funding model of “at least 1 per cent of GDP” and raises concerns over unnecessary foreign borrowing.
From unremitted salary deductions to withheld wages dating back to 2022, the list of grievances remains long, with the union now calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene before the situation spirals out of control.
Beyond financial disputes, ASUU is also taking a stand against several education policies, including the planned establishment of a Coventry University campus in Nigeria, which it views as a threat to local institutions.
The union also rejected the mandatory enrollment of lecturers into the Nigeria Education Repository Databank and the proposed scrapping of certain humanities courses.
As the NEC prepares to meet again in the coming weeks to decide its next line of action, the lecturers have urged the Nigerian public to hold the government accountable for any eventual disruption of the academic calendar.
