ASUU Warns of Looming Crisis Over Salary Delays and Unmet Demands

ASUU warns of looming crisis in Nigerian universities over salary delays, underfunding, and unmet agreements, calling on FG to act swiftly.

ASUU Raises Alarm Over Possible Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again warned of an impending crisis in Nigerian universities due to salary delays and unmet government promises. Speaking at a press conference held at the University of Ibadan on Monday, the Ibadan Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Biodun Olaniran, cautioned that industrial action may be unavoidable if urgent steps are not taken.

According to him, the relative peace on campuses in recent months was largely due to ASUU’s patience and expectation that the Federal Government would fulfill its commitments. However, the continuous delays and neglect have left members “increasingly frustrated.”

Outstanding Demands and Unresolved Issues

Prof. Olaniran outlined several critical issues that remain unresolved despite repeated negotiations:

Renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement
Adequate and sustainable funding for Nigerian universities
Restoration of university autonomy to protect academic freedom
Payment of withheld salaries and arrears of promotions
Mainstreaming of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA)

He emphasized that a draft agreement was reached in 2021 with the government’s renegotiation committee, but the Federal Government has failed to sign or implement the document.

Funding Crisis and Poor Infrastructure

ASUU also criticized the Bola Tinubu administration for allocating only 7% of the 2025 national budget to education, a figure far below the UNESCO-recommended benchmark of 15–26%.

Prof. Olaniran lamented that:

Public universities continue to suffer from underfunding and decaying infrastructure.
Many institutions operate with poorly equipped laboratories and deplorable student hostels.
Nigerian universities remain absent from the list of the top 1,000 universities globally.

For comparison, UNESCO’s recommendations on education funding can be found on the UNESCO official website.

Victimisation and University Autonomy Concerns

The union further condemned the victimisation of ASUU leaders at Lagos State University, Kogi State University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, where union executives face “trumped-up charges” and illegal salary withholdings.

On autonomy, ASUU criticized the Federal Government for:

Unlawful dissolution of university governing councils.
Imposition of political appointees.
Erosion of Senate powers through the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) centralized curriculum.

Salary Arrears and IPPIS Concerns

ASUU demanded the immediate release of three-and-a-half months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 strike, along with arrears from the 25–35% wage award yet to be implemented.

The union also described the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as fraudulent, citing:

Non-payment of promotion arrears for over four years in many universities.
Failure to remit third-party deductions.
Widespread irregularities that compromise staff welfare.

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ASUU’s Final Warning to the Government

Despite emphasizing that the union remains peace-loving, Prof. Olaniran made it clear that ASUU will not allow members’ welfare to be continually sacrificed due to government neglect.

“Another crisis in the university system can only be prevented if the Federal Government honours its commitments,” he warned.

The looming ASUU strike underscores the urgency for the Federal Government to resolve long-standing issues affecting Nigeria’s university system. Without swift intervention, students and academic staff may once again face the disruption of academic activities.