ASUU has threatened a nationwide strike over unresolved university funding issues.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has signaled the possibility of a nationwide strike, accusing the Federal Government of failing to honor long-standing agreements on the revitalization and adequate funding of public universities.
ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, raised the alarm on Thursday during a press briefing at the University of Jos, saying lecturers have endured more than two years of unfulfilled promises and deliberate government delays.
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Piwuna highlighted unresolved matters, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, outstanding salary arrears, withheld promotions, and the welfare of retired lecturers.
“The general public should know that ASUU has repeatedly written to the Federal Government, urging it to resolve this crisis amicably. Unfortunately, the government has consistently ignored our appeals,” he said.
He added, “It is clear that ASUU may have no choice but to resort to strike action to compel the government to address our demands.”
The union president also rejected the government’s proposed tertiary institutions staff support fund loan scheme, calling it “a trap.” He explained, “Our members do not need loans. What we need is the implementation of agreements that will restore our purchasing power. The government still owes us three months’ salaries, yet it expects us to borrow money.”
ASUU further criticized the rapid proliferation of universities without sustainable funding, warning that this trend has negatively affected academic standards and Nigeria’s global rankings.
On pensions, the union lamented that some professors who served over 40 years are now receiving as little as ₦150,000 monthly, despite rising inflation and living costs.
While the union awaits the outcome of a government meeting scheduled for August 28 before deciding its next course of action, it has announced that members will hold rallies across campuses next week to voice their frustrations.
“Time is running out. We cannot continue to wait endlessly while the future of Nigerian universities is jeopardized,” Piwuna warned.
The warning has raised concerns that another ASUU strike could be imminent, threatening further disruption to Nigeria’s fragile education system.
