Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Plateau State University (PLASU) Branch, has commenced the process of embarking on an indefinite strike over the Plateau State Government’s failure to implement the 2025 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement, warning that continued delay could cripple academic activities at the institution.
The union disclosed this on Thursday during a press conference in Jos, saying its congress had unanimously resolved to apply for strike action, with the application currently undergoing processing by the union’s zonal and national organs.
Presenting the union’s position on behalf of the ASUU Bauchi Zone, Prof. Lawan Abubakar appealed to the Plateau State Government to urgently release funds for the implementation of the agreement, including the payment of arrears with effect from January 1, 2026.
“At its Congress meeting held on 13th May 2026, the Union unanimously resolved to apply for strike action. The application is currently being processed by the Zonal and National organs of ASUU,” he said.
Abubakar explained that the decision followed months of delay in implementing the agreement despite repeated engagements with the university management and the state government.
He noted that the branch submitted the new salary template contained in the 2025 FGN–ASUU Agreement to the university management in February 2026 but received a response on May 18 indicating that government was still studying the financial and administrative implications of the agreement before deciding on implementation.
The union, however, expressed concern that six months after submitting the document, the agreement had yet to be implemented despite having been negotiated and approved for implementation across Nigeria’s public university system.
“We are concerned that after six months, these bureaucratic processes are still being observed for a university that is lawfully autonomous and over a document that was comprehensively negotiated with both State and Federal Government representatives and approved by the relevant organs for implementation in the Nigerian Public University System,” he stated.
According to the union, the delay comes at a time when neighbouring state universities have already implemented the agreement, while inflation continues to erode the purchasing power of lecturers.
It added that despite the university’s expansion through increased student enrolment and the establishment of new faculties and departments, lecturers continue to shoulder heavier teaching, research, community service and mentoring responsibilities without corresponding improvements in their welfare.
“While we acknowledge the Visitor’s expressed willingness to implement the Agreement, only the immediate release of funds for all outstanding payments, including arrears, will resolve the matter”
The union appealed to the Plateau State Government to act swiftly to prevent industrial unrest, urging members of the public and other stakeholders to intervene before the situation escalates.
“We also appeal to the public and all stakeholders within and outside Plateau State to engage the Government of Plateau State with a view to resolving these issues. This is necessary to avert a looming total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action,” he added.
