The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a strong warning to the Federal Government to fully implement the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement or face an imminent nationwide strike.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, expressed deep frustration over the government’s failure to address long-standing issues affecting Nigerian universities. He emphasized that nine major areas remain unresolved, including the stalled renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, which has been inactive since 2017.
Piwuna highlighted that academic staff are still being owed salaries from the 2022 strike, with further disputes tied to the controversial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). He also criticised the government for delaying the release of revitalisation funds and earned academic allowances.
Despite earlier promises by the government to inject ₦150 billion into public universities and harmonise irregular allowances by 2026, Piwuna said none of these pledges have been honoured.
He also condemned the marginalisation of ASUU members in state-owned institutions like Kogi State University and Lagos State University, where he said staff face victimisation, withheld salaries, and job insecurity.
Addressing the issue of university autonomy, Piwuna accused the government of undermining due process in the appointment of university leaders, specifically naming Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the University of Abuja. He warned that political interference is turning universities into arenas for personal and partisan interests.
Calling for a national revival through education, Piwuna proposed the organisation of a national education summit focused on funding, autonomy, and academic welfare.
“Education empowers citizens, drives innovation, and instils values. Without it, development is impossible,” he stated.
Reaffirming ASUU’s dedication to revitalising the nation’s higher institutions, he urged Nigerians and international allies to support the union’s efforts to restore dignity to the education sector.
“Our universities should be centres for solutions to national challenges,” Piwuna declared. “We are open to dialogue but will not tolerate further erosion of our rights.”
What you should know
ASUU’s ultimatum comes amid years of stalled negotiations and unfulfilled promises. With withheld salaries, broken funding pledges, and encroached autonomy, Nigeria’s university system faces renewed instability—unless urgent and sincere dialogue begins.
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