ASUU Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Unresolved 2009 Agreement and Unmet Demands

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning that it will launch a nationwide strike to disrupt academic activities across Nigerian universities if the Federal Government fails to honor outstanding agreements and demands.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, Prof. Al-Amin Abdullahi, the Zonal Coordinator for ASUU Abuja Zone, urged the government to sign and implement the renegotiated 2009 agreement, which was concluded in December 2024 but remains unsigned and unfulfilled. He emphasized that the original 2009 FG/ASUU agreement has only been partially implemented nearly 17 years after it was signed.

Prof. Abdullahi stressed that Nigeria’s progress is directly tied to the quality of its university system, which has suffered due to unresolved issues.

Similarly, ASUU’s Ibadan Zone, which covers institutions such as the University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, among others, has called on the government to act on the recommendations of the Yayale Ahmed report, submitted in February, to prevent further strikes. Prof. Biodun Olaniran made the appeal at a news conference in Ibadan.

In Calabar Zone, ASUU condemned the Federal Government’s Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Loan Scheme as a “poisoned chalice” and an unwelcome distraction. Mr. Ikechuku Igwenyi, the zonal coordinator, described the loan offer as harsh and unrealistic, noting that even senior academics like professors would struggle to repay a ₦10 million loan in four years. He added that the union was neither consulted nor involved in the scheme’s design.

ASUU National President Christopher Piwuna gave the Federal Government a final deadline of August 28 to meet the union’s demands, warning that prolonged government inaction has left ASUU with no option but to resort to strike action.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to Piwuna, ASUU has repeatedly sought dialogue and submitted letters to the government, all of which have been ignored. He outlined the union’s core issues: full renegotiation and implementation of the 2009 agreement, sustainable funding for universities, revitalization of academic institutions, an end to victimization of staff at LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and FUTON, as well as payment of outstanding salary arrears ranging from 25 to 35 percent and promotion arrears spanning over four years.

“If the government refuses to listen, ASUU will be compelled to act to protect the interests and dignity of academic staff and the quality of Nigerian higher education,” Piwuna concluded.