ASUU Issues Stern Warning: Nationwide University Strike Looms if Government Fails to Act
⚠️ ASUU Issues Stern Warning: Nationwide University Strike Looms if Government Fails to Act
By GlobalEgberiMedia
Global Egberi Media International
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again raised the alarm over the deteriorating state of public universities in Nigeria, warning that the Federal Government’s continued neglect could plunge the nation’s higher education system into another crippling nationwide strike.
In a strongly worded statement issued by ASUU’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, from the union’s National Secretariat Complex, University of Abuja, the union expressed deep frustration with the government’s failure to address key labour issues despite years of promises and negotiations.
Government’s Promises vs. Harsh Reality
Prof. Piwuna’s remarks came in response to the recent statement by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who confidently declared that there would “never again” be strikes by university lecturers. ASUU, however, described such optimism as nothing more than wishful thinking unless backed by concrete actions.
While reiterating the union’s readiness for dialogue and peaceful resolution, the president stressed that words alone cannot solve decades-old structural problems plaguing the system.
According to ASUU, lecturers across Nigerian public universities are working under demoralising conditions — “teaching on empty stomachs, conducting research in poorly equipped facilities, and engaging in community service without basic resources.”
Betrayal of Agreements
The union accused successive governments of repeatedly breaching the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, which was due for renegotiation since 2012.
Despite the submission of a renegotiated draft agreement by the Yayale Ahmed Committee in December 2024, the Federal Government is yet to finalise the process — eight months later.
Key issues outlined in the agreement include:
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Improved conditions of service for lecturers.
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Adequate funding for public universities.
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University autonomy and reforms of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Prof. Piwuna lamented that authorities have been cherry-picking aspects of agreements to implement while resorting to “platitudes and tokenism” instead of genuine solutions.
Systemic Problems and Victimisation
ASUU further condemned the politicisation of vice-chancellor appointments, citing the controversial case at Alvan Ikoku University of Education. The union also criticised the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), describing it as corruption-prone and discriminatory against academics.
The union decried the government’s habit of pushing lecturers to the brink of strikes and then retaliating by withholding their salaries, worsening already difficult living conditions.
“Our members are tired of endless memoranda and promises. No memorandum or discussion can take the place of a Collective Bargaining Agreement which fully addresses staff welfare and the environment for productive work. The time to act is now,” Prof. Piwuna declared.
A Call to Patriotic Action
ASUU is urging all genuine patriots, civil society organisations, and concerned Nigerians to prevail upon the Federal and State Governments to take urgent steps before another disruption in the academic calendar becomes inevitable.
The message is clear — without decisive intervention, Nigeria’s public universities may soon face yet another period of paralysis, with devastating consequences for students, parents, and the future of the nation.
Visible Tags: #ASUU #StrikeAlert #NigerianUniversities #EducationCrisis #GlobalEgberiMedia
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