ASUU Threatens Strike, Demands Implementation of Renegotiation Agreement

ASUU threatens strike as it demands full implementation of the 2009 renegotiation agreement with the Federal Government to save Nigeria’s universities.

ASUU Calls for Urgent Action from Federal Government

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again threatened to embark on strike if the Federal Government fails to sign and implement the renegotiated 2009 agreement. The call was made by Prof. Al-Amin Abdullahi, Zonal Coordinator of the ASUU Abuja Zone, during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday.

He emphasized that although the renegotiation of the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement was concluded in December 2024, the government is yet to sign or implement its provisions. According to Abdullahi, this long delay continues to undermine the university system in Nigeria.

Background of the FG/ASUU 2009 Agreement

The FG/ASUU 2009 Agreement was designed to address critical issues in Nigeria’s higher education sector, including:

University funding and infrastructure improvement
Better welfare and conditions of service for lecturers
Academic autonomy and improved research support

Despite being in place for over 17 years, ASUU insists that most of the agreement’s provisions remain unfulfilled, posing a threat to the growth and global competitiveness of Nigerian universities.

ASUU Zones Renew Pressure on Government

ASUU Ibadan Zone

At a separate press conference, Prof. Biodun Olaniran, ASUU Coordinator for the Ibadan Zone, also urged the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the Yayale Ahmed report, submitted in February 2025. He warned that failure to act could trigger another round of strike actions across public universities.

The Ibadan Zone covers key institutions such as:

University of Ibadan
University of Ilorin
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso
Osun State University (UNIOSUN)
Emmanuel Alayande University of Education
Kwara State University, Malete

ASUU Calabar Zone

Similarly, the Calabar Zone of ASUU rejected the recently introduced Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Loan Scheme, describing it as a “poisoned chalice and unacceptable distraction.”

Mr. Ikechuku Igwenyi, Zonal Coordinator for Calabar, stated that the loan program was designed without consultation with ASUU and does not address the union’s core demands. He argued that even professors would struggle to repay a ₦10 million loan within the 48-month repayment period, making the scheme unfeasible.

Why ASUU Opposes the Loan Scheme

ASUU maintains that the loan initiative is a diversion from the real issues affecting Nigerian universities. Instead of temporary financial relief through stringent loan conditions, the union insists that the government should:

Fully implement the renegotiated 2009 agreement
Increase funding for universities
Improve staff welfare and working conditions
Strengthen research and academic independence

By addressing these areas, ASUU believes Nigeria can build a stronger university system capable of driving national development.

The Bigger Picture: Education and National Development

ASUU argues that no nation can rise above the quality of its education system. By neglecting university funding and welfare, Nigeria risks falling further behind in innovation, research, and skilled manpower development.

The union’s demand is not just about lecturers’ welfare but also about creating a world-class university system that can compete with global standards. For context, international education watchdogs like Times Higher Education rank Nigerian universities low due to underfunding and inadequate facilities.

The renewed threat of ASUU strike in 2025 underscores the urgent need for the Federal Government to implement the renegotiated 2009 agreement. With multiple ASUU zones rejecting temporary solutions like the tertiary staff loan scheme, the focus must return to sustainable investment in education.

Unless decisive action is taken, Nigeria may face another round of prolonged university closures, with devastating effects on students, staff, and the nation’s economy.