ASUU to FG: Implement 2025 agreement or face another nationwide strike

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos (UNIJOS) branch, has warned that Nigeria’s public universities may face another round of industrial action over what it described as the Federal Government’s slow implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement.

Addressing journalists at the union secretariat on Monday, ASUU leaders said growing frustration among lecturers could destabilise the fragile peace currently existing in the university system.

The union disclosed that its National Executive Council (NEC), which met at Modibbo Adama University on May 9 and 10, reviewed the December 23, 2025 agreement and expressed dissatisfaction with the level of compliance by the Federal Government.

ASUU accused the government of failing to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), a body expected to supervise the execution of the agreement and eliminate administrative bottlenecks.

According to the union, the absence of the committee has led to what it called “selective and distorted implementation” of key financial components such as the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CATA), Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), Professorial Allowance and other responsibility allowances.

While commending Sa’adu Zungur University and Ekiti State University for partially implementing aspects of the agreement, ASUU urged other institutions and relevant authorities to act swiftly to prevent nationwide industrial unrest.

The union also criticised the Federal Government over the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF) without consulting ASUU, warning that the dollar-based funding structure could expose the education sector to external influence and “neo-liberal control mechanisms.”

ASUU further highlighted unresolved welfare concerns, including unpaid arrears of the 25/35 per cent wage award, withheld salaries from the 2022 strike, promotion arrears, IPPIS-related salary shortfalls and unremitted third-party deductions.

The union maintained that the “no work, no pay” policy used against lecturers during the 2022 strike was unjustified, insisting that academic activities such as research and community engagement continued throughout the period.

Warning that continued neglect of the agreement and outstanding entitlements could spark another shutdown of public universities, ASUU said, “Government insensitivity to these issues is brewing pent-up anger that may erupt if not properly managed.”