ASUU warns of fresh crisis over unimplemented 2025 agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos Branch, on Monday warned that Nigerian public universities may be plunged into another round of industrial unrest over what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to fully implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement.

Addressing a press conference in Jos, Joseph Molwus, the Branch Chairman said the union was deeply dissatisfied with the government’s handling of the agreement signed on December 23, 2025, accusing authorities of delaying implementation and allowing distortions across federal and state universities.

“We bring you patriotic greetings on behalf of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos Branch. The National Executive Council of ASUU met at Modibbo Adama University on 9th and 10th May 2026 and reviewed the state of the union and the level of implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement”; he said.

He added that, “The growing frustration caused by government’s insensitivity to the welfare of our members is generating pent-up anger that could erupt into another round of industrial unrest if not urgently addressed”.

ASUU, however, commended Sa’adu Zungur University Gadau and Ekiti State University for fully implementing the salary component of the agreement, urging other state governments and the Federal Government to emulate them to avert looming industrial disharmony on campuses nationwide.

The union also faulted the Federal Government’s decision to establish the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), describing the move as unilateral and inconsistent with the agreement reached with ASUU.

It particularly criticised the plan to denominate the funding in United States dollars, warning that it could expose Nigeria to additional foreign debts.

On welfare issues, the union lamented the continued non-payment of the three-and-a-half-month salaries withheld during the 2022 strike, promotion arrears, salary shortfalls linked to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), unpaid wage awards and unremitted third-party deductions.

ASUU insisted that lecturers completed all academic responsibilities after the strike and should not be denied their entitlements.

The union further condemned recent policy pronouncements by the Minister of Education, including the reversal of the Mother Tongue Policy, plans to establish a campus of Coventry University in Nigeria and the proposed scrapping of courses considered “irrelevant.” It argued that such policies were retrogressive and capable of undermining Nigeria’s education system and academic freedom.

ASUU equally expressed concern over worsening insecurity, economic hardship and political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that poor governance, poverty and insecurity were worsening the living conditions of Nigerians.

The union called on the Federal and State Governments to urgently implement the 2025 agreement and address all outstanding issues to prevent another nationwide crisis in public universities.