ASUU Threatens Industrial Action Over Unresolved Issues in Nigerian Universities

Abuja, Nigeria— The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the Federal and State Governments to urgently address its long-standing grievances, or face an imminent industrial action across Nigeria’s public universities.

In a statement signed by ASUU President Professor Christopher Piwuna, the union expressed deep frustration over persistent issues including poor welfare conditions for lecturers, inadequate funding for universities, and the government’s failure to honor the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement despite numerous memoranda and attempts at dialogue.

ASUU’s warning follows comments by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who optimistically declared that strikes by ASUU or other tertiary institutions would not happen again under the current administration, basing this on ongoing dialogue and government engagement. However, ASUU insists that dialogue must be matched by concrete actions to resolve outstanding matters.

The union highlighted the dire working conditions faced by lecturers who often teach “on empty stomachs,” conduct research without access to essential resources such as electronic and physical journals, books, chemicals, and reagents, and struggle with unpaid utility bills, children’s school fees, and poor transportation means.

ASUU also criticised political interference in university governance, citing controversies around the appointment and promotion processes in some institutions, including the Acting Vice Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.

The union lamented the continued blame on universities for producing unemployable graduates despite the lack of adequate support and resources, leaving lecturers feeling forgotten, demoralized, and shamed by past and present governments.

ASUU called on all genuine patriots and stakeholders to pressure the government to act swiftly and avert another debilitating strike that would disrupt academic activities nationwide.

By Enoch Odesola | August 10, 2025