The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned the Federal Government to fully implement all existing agreements with the union or risk another nationwide industrial action.
The warning was issued at the end of ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Taraba State University, Jalingo, where members deliberated on recent engagements with government officials and reviewed progress made since the suspension of the last warning strike.
In a statement signed by its National President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, the union expressed disappointment over what it described as the Federal Government’s “inconsistent and uncommitted approach” to implementing negotiated agreements.
“The NEC noted with grave concern the government’s back-and-forth posture and slow response to the key issues affecting the Nigerian university system,” the statement read. “We warn that continued indecision or selective implementation could lead to another round of industrial unrest in the sector.”
The union recalled that during its emergency NEC meeting on October 21, 2025, it had suspended a warning strike to allow for further dialogue after receiving what it termed “grossly inadequate offers” from government negotiators.
ASUU said it granted a one-month window for the government to conclude renegotiations in good faith, but that two weeks into the suspension, progress had been minimal.
While acknowledging slight improvements in non-monetary areas, such as the release of some third-party deductions and partial payment of promotion arrears, ASUU described these as “confidence-building gestures” rather than solutions to the core issues.
“The proposed salary adjustment is grossly inadequate to address the brain drain and worsening living conditions of Nigerian academics,” the union said.
ASUU also faulted government officials for what it called “misrepresentation of facts” about the negotiation process, warning that such actions undermine trust and threaten meaningful resolution.
The union insisted that contrary to government claims of economic difficulty, data from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) shows substantial growth in both federal and state revenues in recent years.
According to ASUU, state allocations increased from N3.92 trillion in 2022 to N5.81 trillion in 2024, while federal revenues rose from N3.42 trillion to N4.65 trillion over the same period.
“The issue is not the absence of funds but the absence of political will,” the statement added.
The NEC urged traditional rulers, community leaders, students, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and civil society groups to continue engaging the government to act responsibly and provide lecturers with a living wage.
ASUU maintained that the remaining days of the one-month window must be used wisely to avoid disruptions to the academic calendar.
“This is not too much to ask,” the statement concluded.
