By IndyPress News Desk
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned of a fresh wave of industrial action following the failure of the Federal Government and state governments to fully implement the December 2025 agreement reached with the union.
This development was disclosed after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, Yola on May 9 and 10, 2026.
According to a statement issued by ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, on Monday, the union said it had maintained “a studied silence” since the signing and public presentation of the agreement in January 2026.
“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, Yola, on May 9–10, 2026,” the statement read.
According to the union, it decision to speak out followed reviewing the implementation process and other unresolved issues affecting university lecturers.
“The momentum generated with the unveiling of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement on January 14, 2026, is fast waning and may soon be lost if the government’s promise to fully implement the agreement is not kept,” it stated.
Recall that in January 2026, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, stated during the official signing of the agreement that it was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategy to permanently end university strikes in Nigeria.
ASUU, however, blamed the poor implementation of the agreement on the Federal Government’s failure to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee.
The union further alleged that federal and state authorities had implemented the agreement in a “distorted and uncoordinated manner,” noting that only a few state governments had complied fully.
ASUU also accused administrators of federal universities of selectively implementing components such as Consolidated Academic Allowances, Earned Academic Allowances, and Professorial Allowances, which it argued should have been fully integrated into the Consolidated Academic Salary Structure.
The union further criticised some state governments for allegedly ignoring the agreement despite participating in the negotiation process.
ASUU reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that members benefit from what it described as the gains of the eight-year negotiation process spanning 2017 to 2025.
The union also faulted the Federal Government’s proposed National Research Council and the Minister of Education’s announcement of a National Research and Innovation Development Fund.
According to ASUU, the proposal does not align with the provisions of the 2025 agreement, which recommends that “at least one per cent of GDP” be allocated to research, innovation, and development.
The union questioned the proposed $500 million funding structure and its source, expressing concerns over possible external borrowing.
On welfare matters, ASUU said several issues remained unresolved, including salary arrears, promotion arrears, unremitted deductions, salary shortfalls under the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), and withheld salaries from the 2022 strike.
It also criticised delays in pension payments for retired lecturers, particularly in state universities, and accused the National Pension Commission of delaying benefit harmonisation.
The union called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Visitor to federal universities, to intervene and address the outstanding welfare concerns.
Also Read: SSANU, NASU to Suspend Nationwide Strike May 11
ASUU warned that continued neglect of lecturers’ welfare could trigger another industrial action, noting that frustration among its members was increasing.
The union also urged Nigerians to prevail on governments at all levels to fully implement the agreement and resolve all outstanding issues, adding that its NEC would reconvene in the coming weeks to review developments and decide on further actions if necessary.
Credit: PUNCH NEWSPAPER
