ASUU Threatens Fresh Nationwide Strike Over Unmet Demands

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Thursday, warned that it may be forced to embark on another nationwide strike following the Federal Government’s alleged failure to honour longstanding agreements on the revitalisation and funding of public universities.

Speaking at a press conference in the University of Jos, the ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, accused the government of over two years of “delay tactics and broken promises.”

“The general public should also note that ASUU has written several letters to the FGN drawing its attention to the need to resolve this crisis amicably. Lamentably, the FGN has always turned a deaf ear to all our pleas,” Piwuna said.

According to the ASUU leader, the outstanding issues include:

– Renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement

– Outstanding salary arrears and withheld promotions

– Welfare of retired lecturers

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– Proper funding and revitalisation of universities

He added, “The government made promises on these issues. Regrettably, we are here today to inform the Nigerian public that these undisputed issues could lead to a crisis in our educational sector. As always, it is the FGN that has consistently pushed our union to embark on a strike action.”

Piwuna dismissed the Federal Government’s newly proposed staff support loan scheme for tertiary workers, describing it as exploitative.

“Our members do not need loans. What we need is the implementation of agreements that will improve our purchasing power. Government is still owing us three months’ salaries, yet they are asking us to borrow money,” he said.

The union also lamented the plight of retired professors who, despite over 40 years of service, receive as little as ₦150,000 monthly pensions amid spiralling inflation.

ASUU further criticised the government’s alleged indiscriminate creation of new universities without sustainable funding, warning that such actions have lowered academic standards and global rankings.

The union disclosed that it would await the outcome of a scheduled government meeting on August 28 before announcing its next line of action.

In the meantime, ASUU said members would stage rallies across campuses next week to register their grievances and mobilise support.

Piwuna warned, “Time is running out. We cannot continue to wait endlessly while the future of Nigerian universities is destroyed.”