The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the Federal Government of deliberately failing to implement the 2025 ASUU/FGN Agreement, which may force the union to shut down universities. This was made known by the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Nsukka Zone, Comrade Christian Opata, during a press conference held at Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi.

The government's approach isn't new, says Opata. The Federal Government is taking the unproductive route it's used to, he stated. Before the signing of the 2025 ASUU/FGN Agreement, the FGN forced our members to embark on strike actions over the 2009 Agreement. The FGN is at it again, trying to force us to embark on another round of actions over the 2025 Agreement.

The agreement was signed on January 14, 2026, but its implementation has remained partial, distorted, and largely abandoned, according to Opata. He faulted the Federal Government for failing to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), which was expected to ensure proper execution of the agreement and prevent bureaucratic bottlenecks.

So, what does this mean for the average Nigerian student? It's simple: their education is on hold, yet again. The union also accused the government of sidelining ASUU in the proposed establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, after a Federal Executive Council meeting on April 7, 2026.

ASUU, one of the parties to the agreement, wasn't involved whatsoever, a clear sign of breach of the said agreement through deliberate attempts to sideline the union, Opata stated. The union wasn't consulted, and this omission is a clear indication of the government's intentions.

The union rejected the proposed funding arrangement for the research fund, insisting that it contradicted the agreement, which stipulated that at least one per cent of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) should be dedicated to research, innovation, and development. The union queried how the Minister came up with the $500 million he mentioned as being benchmarked for the fund.

The union lamented the non-integration of key allowances into the Consolidated Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONUASS), including Consolidated Tools Allowance (CATA), Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), and Professorial Allowance (PA). Opata blamed the delay on inadequate government funding and accused some state governments of failing to key into the agreement despite participating in the negotiations that produced it. They can't claim they don't know what's going on, Opata said.

It gets worse. ASUU equally decried the continued non-payment of several outstanding entitlements owed lecturers, including arrears from the 25-35 per cent salary award, promotion arrears, unpaid third-party deductions, pension remittances, salary shortfalls linked to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), and withheld salaries from the 2022 ASUU strike action. The union won't sit back and watch as lecturers suffer, Opata said.

The union further expressed concern over what it described as undue interference in university administration by governing councils, visitors, and vice-chancellors. It cited Benue State University as an example, alleging attempts by the Chairman of the Governing Council to overturn the appointment of a Deputy Vice Chancellor. This isn't the first time it's happened, and it won't be the last, Opata said.

The problem doesn't stop there. On academic standards, ASUU condemned what it described as questionable appointments and promotions to professorial ranks in some universities. The union specifically alleged that the Federal University Lokoja was currently investigating four cases of questionable promotions to professor. They're trying to cover it up, but we won't let them, Opata stated.

The union expressed concern over the welfare of retired academics, lamenting delays in the payment of pensions and gratuities. The union cited the case of late Professor Targema Iorvaa of Benue State University, who allegedly died without receiving his retirement benefits. It's a sad situation, and we won't let it continue, Opata said.

ASUU appealed to stakeholders in the education sector to prevail on both federal and state governments to fully implement the 2025 agreement and avert another nationwide industrial dispute. Also speaking, the National Investment Secretary of ASUU, Prof. Celestine Aguoru, noted that ASUU's resort to strike was the last option. He lamented that several Nigerian universities were existing on borrowed time given their neglect by the government and lack of funds to meet their obligations. We don't want to go on strike, but we can't just sit back and watch, Prof.

Aguoru said.

  • The 2025 ASUU/FGN Agreement was signed on January 14, 2026.
  • The Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) hasn't been inaugurated.
  • The proposed National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF) doesn't involve ASUU.
  • At least one per cent of Nigeria's GDP should be dedicated to research, innovation, and development.
  • Several outstanding entitlements are owed to lecturers, including arrears and unpaid salaries.

The Nsukka Zone comprises Benue State University, Makurdi; Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; Enugu State University of Science and Technology; Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo; Kogi State University, Anyigba; Federal University Lokoja; Federal University Wukari; and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. They're all affected by the government's actions, and they won't take it lying down.

The situation is bleak, and the future of Nigerian education hangs in the balance. The union won't sit and watch the government ruin the Nigerian University system, said Prof. Aguoru. By the beginning of June, the union will convene an emergency meeting where the decision on the action to be taken by ASUU will be reached. They're advising that Nigerians blame the Federal Government if universities are shut down. It's not what we want, but it's what we might have to do, Prof. Aguoru stated.