A fresh crisis may be brewing in Nigeria’s university system as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to resume its suspended nationwide strike over unresolved demands by the Federal Government and some state governments.
The union said it could reactivate industrial action without further notice if outstanding issues surrounding the implementation of the December 2025 agreement are not addressed.
ASUU’s latest position followed an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council at the University of Abuja, where members reviewed the progress made on agreements reached with the government.
ASUU Raises Concern Over Unpaid Salaries
One of the major issues raised by the union is the payment of the remaining three-and-a-half months of withheld salaries owed to lecturers.
The salaries were withheld in connection with the prolonged industrial action under the previous administration, with the union maintaining that the outstanding payments should be released.
ASUU also complained about deductions made from lecturers’ salaries that it said had not been remitted to the appropriate third parties.
According to the union, these unresolved financial matters have continued to generate frustration among university lecturers.
December 2025 Agreement Yet to Be Fully Implemented
ASUU also expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the incomplete implementation of the agreement reached with the Federal Government in December 2025.
The union said the agreement followed years of negotiations and struggles over the conditions of service, funding and other challenges affecting Nigeria’s public universities.
It accused the government of failing to meet some of its commitments under the agreement and warned that continued delays could force the union to take industrial action again.
University Autonomy and Staff Welfare
Beyond salaries and deductions, ASUU raised concerns about university autonomy and the deteriorating welfare of academic staff.
The union has repeatedly argued that Nigerian universities require stronger funding and greater institutional independence to improve teaching, research and infrastructure.
It also warned that failure to address the outstanding issues could further worsen the conditions under which lecturers operate.
Some States Begin Implementation
ASUU acknowledged that some state governments had started implementing aspects of the 2025 agreement in their universities.
The union commended governors in states including Abia, Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Benue, Yobe, Adamawa, Kebbi, Katsina and Borno for steps taken towards implementation.
It specifically praised Abia State Governor Alex Otti, saying he had announced full adoption of the agreement and apologised to the union over bureaucratic delays affecting implementation.
ASUU Warns Against Another Disruption
Despite acknowledging progress in some states, ASUU maintained that significant issues remain unresolved at the national level.
The union said it remained open to dialogue with the Federal Government and state authorities but warned that lecturers should not be blamed if unresolved matters eventually lead to another strike.
A renewed nationwide strike would raise fresh concerns for students and parents, particularly as universities seek to maintain uninterrupted academic calendars after years of disruptions caused by industrial disputes.
For now, attention is on the Federal Government and ASUU to determine whether negotiations can resolve the outstanding issues and prevent another major disruption in Nigeria’s university system.
