ASUU Warns of Nationwide Strike Over Federal Government’s Failure to Implement Agreements
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has formally warned the Federal Government of an impending nationwide strike amid persistent frustration over longstanding unmet agreements and unresolved systemic issues. Speaking from a press conference at the University of Jos, ASUU President Prof. Christopher Piwuna expressed deep frustration at what he described as a “culture of broken promises and delay tactics” by the government.The Guardian NigeriaVanguard News
Piwuna emphasised that ASUU has now reached a critical breaking point after more than two years of patient engagement. Key unresolved demands include the renegotiation and implementation of the 2009 FG-ASUU Agreement, based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s 2022 draft; salary arrears, deferred promotions, inadequate welfare for retired lecturers, and underfunded public university revitalization.The Guardian NigeriaThe Telegraph NigeriaChoice Reporters
ASUU also vehemently rejected the government’s proposed Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), categorising it as a “poisoned chalice.” According to Piwuna, lecturers do not need more loans, they require the implementation of existing agreements that will restore their purchasing power, not further indebtedness.The Guardian NigeriaChoice Reporters
The union cited the proliferation of poorly funded universities as another major concern. With 339 universities now existing in Nigeria, many lack the facilities, staffing, or funding they need to function effectively. ASUU raised alarm that expanding the sector without sufficient resources is detrimental to academic standards and undermines the quality of education.The Guardian NigeriaChoice Reporters
Addressing the plight of retirees, Piwuna lamented that professors with well over four decades of service now earn as little as ₦150,000 per month, an amount inadequate in the face of rising inflation and living costs. He described such neglect of veteran academics as both unfair and unsustainable.Vanguard NewsCreebHills
ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) voted on August 16–17 at Sokoto to allow a grace period for a planned Federal Government meeting on August 28. The union has granted the government this window to demonstrate genuine progress before deciding on further escalations. In the meantime, ASUU plans to hold rallies across university campuses as a visible warning of its readiness to take industrial action.The Guardian NigeriaChoice ReportersCreebHills
Emphasising the gravity of the situation, Piwuna declared, “Trust has been destroyed by the government. It is up to them to regain it to avert any strike.” He added, “We cannot continue this journey on empty tanks.”Vanguard NewsCreebHills
If the government fails to honor its agreements or demonstrate actionable commitment by August 28, ASUU has made it clear that a nationwide strike is not just imminent, it becomes inevitable in defense of public education and academic dignity.
