The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that poor implementation of its 2025 agreement with the Federal Government could trigger fresh industrial action in Nigerian public universities.
Speaking after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Yola, ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, expressed concern over delays in carrying out key parts of the agreement signed in December 2025.
Delay in Committee Inauguration
According to Piwuna, the Federal Government has not inaugurated the Implementation Monitoring Committee included in the agreement.
He said the delay is affecting proper coordination and creating confusion in the implementation process.
“Government’s failure to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee is undermining the smooth execution of the 2025 agreement,” he said.
Piwuna added that the absence of the committee has led to uncoordinated implementation across universities.
ASUU Raises Welfare Concerns
The ASUU president accused some government agencies and university authorities of selectively implementing parts of the agreement.
He said the issue mainly affects lecturers’ allowances and welfare packages.
Piwuna also alleged that some vice-chancellors have failed to fully implement approved welfare benefits for academic staff.
According to him, several state governments involved in the negotiations have not implemented the salary component for lecturers in state-owned universities.
Unresolved Salary Issues
ASUU listed several unresolved issues affecting lecturers across public universities.
These include:
- Withheld salaries
- Promotion arrears
- Salary shortfalls
- Unremitted third-party deductions
“The continued delay in addressing these issues is worsening frustration among lecturers in public universities,” Piwuna said.
Tinubu Asked to Intervene
ASUU urged Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure all outstanding welfare issues are resolved.
The union said resolving the issues would help maintain industrial harmony in the university system.
ASUU Rejects Research Fund Proposal
The union also criticised the proposed National Research and Innovation Development Fund announced by the Federal Government.
According to Piwuna, the proposal falls short of the provisions contained in the agreement.
He explained that ASUU recommended allocating at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to research funding.
Opposition to Coventry University Campus
ASUU also rejected the Federal Government’s plan to establish a Nigerian campus of Coventry University under the Transnational Education framework.
Piwuna described the proposal as “neo-colonial.”
He warned that the move could weaken Nigeria’s tertiary education system and local universities.
The ASUU president also opposed plans to scrap some university courses considered irrelevant.
He insisted that every academic programme contributes to national development and economic growth.
Emergency NEC Meeting Planned
ASUU disclosed that it would hold an emergency NEC meeting in the coming weeks.
The meeting will assess developments and determine the union’s next line of action if the issues remain unresolved.
