Lecturers losing patience after years of delays
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is once again warning of a possible nationwide strike, citing the Federal Government’s failure to resolve long-standing issues — including unpaid salaries, a stalled agreement, and an unpopular staff loan scheme.
At a press conference held Thursday at the University of Jos, ASUU President Prof. Christopher Piwuna called out the government for what he described as a “disturbing culture of broken promises and delay tactics.”
“We’ve waited over two years. Trust is broken. The government needs to fix it — fast,” Piwuna said.
Renegotiated deal still sitting untouched
One of ASUU’s major concerns is the 2009 agreement renegotiation, which covers conditions of service, university autonomy, funding, and academic freedom. Despite a draft update submitted in February 2025, the government has yet to act.
A meeting with the government is scheduled for August 28, but ASUU says it won’t accept more excuses. Piwuna reminded the government that Nigeria is a signatory to global labour standards and should respect collective bargaining.
Lecturers reject proposed loan scheme
ASUU also pushed back against the government’s Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a new loan initiative pitched as a way to support academic staff. The union called it “a poisoned chalice” and warned it would hurt lecturers more than help them.
“What we need isn’t a loan — we need our agreement signed, withheld salaries paid, and our purchasing power restored,” Piwuna said.
He added that deductions from existing pensions, health insurance, and union dues already eat into paychecks, and the proposed loan would only make things worse.
Concern over rapid creation of new universities
ASUU slammed what it described as the “reckless expansion” of universities in Nigeria, calling it a political move rather than a strategic one. With over 330 universities already in existence, the union argues that spreading limited resources too thin is hurting quality and global rankings.
They applauded the moratorium on new public universities but questioned why private institutions are still getting licenses despite low enrollment numbers.
Retired professors struggling to survive
The union also raised alarm over the financial state of retired academics, some of whom now earn as little as ₦150,000 a month under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), despite decades of service.
“With inflation, electricity hikes, and rising food costs, this is simply cruel,” Piwuna said. “Those who built the system shouldn’t be left behind.”
Rallies next week, strike not off the table
ASUU’s National Executive Council met on August 16–17 at Usmanu Danfodio University and resolved to give the government until after the August 28 meeting to take meaningful action.
In the meantime, rallies will be held across campuses as a warning. If the government continues to delay, a strike is likely.
“We’ve done dialogue. We’ve written letters. We’ve waited. But enough is enough,” Piwuna said, urging groups like the National Assembly, student unions, and religious leaders to help prevent another full-blown shutdown.
The four things ASUU wants
ASUU’s demands remain:
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Finalize and sign the renegotiated 2009 agreement
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Properly fund public universities
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Revamp crumbling infrastructure
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Stop the victimization of union members
“The strongest weapon against poverty and ignorance isn’t violence — it’s education,” Piwuna emphasized. “Nigeria can’t afford another break in the academic calendar.”
