THE Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned that Nigeria’s public university system could face another wave of industrial unrest if the Federal Government and state governments fail to fully implement the December 2025 agreement reached with the union.
News Point Nigeria reports that the warning followed ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, on May 9 and 10, 2026, where the union expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the “distorted and uncoordinated” implementation of the agreement signed with the Federal Government.
In a statement issued on Monday by the ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, 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, 9th–10th May, 2026,” the statement read.
The union explained that it decided to break its silence after reviewing the implementation process and unresolved issues affecting university lecturers across the country.
“The momentum generated with the unveiling of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement on 14th January, 2026 is fast waning and may soon be lost if government’s promise to fully implement the agreement is not kept,” it stated.
ASUU’s warning comes barely months after the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, declared in March 2026 during an event in Lagos that the era of strikes in Nigerian tertiary institutions was permanently over, assuring parents, students, and the general public that universities and polytechnics would remain open throughout academic sessions.
Meanwhile, ASUU blamed the situation on the failure to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee, which it said was established to ensure proper execution of the agreement.
According to the union, federal and state authorities have implemented the agreement in a “distorted and uncoordinated manner”, while only a few state governments have complied with its provisions.
The union also accused administrators of federal universities of selectively implementing components such as Consolidated Academic Allowances, Earned Academic Allowances, and Professorial Allowances, which it said ought to have been integrated into the Consolidated Academic Salary Structure.
ASUU further criticised some state governments for allegedly ignoring the agreement despite participating in the negotiation process.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that its members fully benefit from what it described as the gains of the eight-year negotiation process spanning 2017 to 2025.
On policy matters, ASUU 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 the union, the proposal does not align with the provisions of the 2025 agreement, which recommends “at least 1 per cent of GDP” as funding for research, innovation, and development.
ASUU also questioned the proposed $500 million funding structure and its source, expressing concerns over possible external borrowing.
The union said several welfare-related issues also remain unresolved, including salary arrears, promotion arrears, unremitted deductions, salary shortfalls under the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, and withheld salaries arising from the 2022 strike.
It further criticised delays in pension payments for retired lecturers, particularly in state universities, and accused the National Pension Commission of delaying benefit harmonisation.
ASUU consequently called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his capacity as Visitor to federal universities, to intervene and address the outstanding welfare concerns.
The union also opposed the reversal of the mother-tongue policy in early childhood education, describing the move as retrogressive.
It equally rejected the proposed establishment of a Coventry University campus in Nigeria under a transnational education arrangement, arguing that such a move could undermine local tertiary institutions.
ASUU further faulted the compulsory enrolment of academics into the Nigeria Education Repository Databank, describing it as a violation of academic autonomy and data protection laws.
The union also criticised plans to scrap some university courses considered “irrelevant”, insisting that humanities and social sciences remain essential for fostering critical thinking and innovation.
On governance issues, ASUU raised concerns over alleged cases of maladministration and questionable academic appointments in universities.
The union additionally warned against what it described as growing political tension, insecurity, and economic hardship in the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
ASUU cautioned that continued neglect of lecturers’ welfare could trigger another industrial action, noting that frustration among its members was increasing.
It urged Nigerians to prevail on governments at all levels to fully implement the agreement and resolve all outstanding issues, adding that the NEC would reconvene in the coming weeks to review developments and determine further action if necessary.