ASSU issues strike notice – THIS UPDATE

By Ayo Kehinde

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to resume its suspended nationwide strike, warning that another closure of Nigeria’s public universities could be imminent if the federal government and state governments fail to implement their commitments under the December 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement.

ASUU president Chris Piwuna said the union is frustrated with the way governments have handled the implementation of the agreement, accusing them of paying what is described as “lip service” to issues that have been painstakingly negotiated and agreed upon.

Piwuna said the December 2025 agreement was reached after more than eight months of relentless fighting and negotiations by the union. He expressed concern that despite efforts to reach the agreement, many of its provisions have still not been satisfactorily implemented by the federal government and many state governments.

According to him, ASUU expected the agreement to provide a framework to resolve some of the long-standing challenges facing Nigerian teachers and universities. Instead, he said, delays and partial implementation are creating new frustration among university faculty.

The union has identified the continued withholding of part of the salaries of teachers affected by previous industrial action as one of the problems causing serious difficulties among its members.

Piwuna acknowledged the decision by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to pay four of the seven and a half months’ salary withheld by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

He, however, said the pending three and a half months had not been paid.

The ASUU president said failure to pay the balance is subjecting the affected teachers to “untold hardship,” especially amid the difficult economic conditions facing workers across the country.

While appreciating the payment already made by the Tinubu administration, the union urged the Federal Government to complete the payment of outstanding salaries.

ASUU has said it will continue to push for full implementation of the agreement rather than accept what it sees as partial compliance.

Beyond withheld wages, ASUU has listed unpaid third-party deductions among its top concerns.

The union also expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as a lack of respect for laws and the university’s autonomy.

According to ASUU, the effective functioning of universities requires respect for their statutory independence and the laws governing their functioning.

He also raised concerns about the decline in the quality of Nigerian academics, warning that failure to pay attention to teachers’ welfare, professional development and working conditions could further weaken the country’s university system.

The union says these issues are part of wider commitments the government faces to prevent another breakdown in industrial relations.

Despite its criticism of the federal government and several state governments, ASUU acknowledged what it described as positive developments in some states.

The union expressed particular satisfaction with the actions of the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, in his capacity as visitor to the state universities.

ASUU said Otti created a positive impression within the union through his approach to issues affecting state universities.

The union also commended Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Benue, Yobe, Adamawa, Kebbi, Katsina and Borno states for commencing the implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement. It urged other state governments to follow the lead of the states which had commenced implementation.

Post views:
199