Abuja, Nigeria— The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the Federal Government to urgently address unresolved challenges in Nigeria’s university system to avert another industrial crisis.
The appeal was made in a statement issued on Saturday by ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, in reaction to recent remarks by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who asserted that strikes by lecturers and other tertiary institution unions would “never again” occur in the country.
While acknowledging the Minister’s optimism on dialogue, Professor Piwuna stressed that the government must match words with concrete action. He lamented that many lecturers work under harsh conditions, teaching on empty stomachs in poorly equipped libraries and laboratories lacking essential materials.
“Our members feel abandoned and demoralised, yet they are often blamed for producing unemployable graduates while the systemic neglect that stifles innovation is ignored,” Piwuna stated.
ASUU accused successive administrations of undermining collective bargaining, contrary to International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 98 and 154. The union criticised delays in renegotiating the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, noting that a draft from the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed Committee had been with the government since December 2024.
“Every major dispute since 2012 stems from the government’s refusal to honour the 2009 Agreement,” Piwuna said, adding that token gestures have replaced agreed provisions on staff welfare, funding, university autonomy, and academic freedom.
The union also condemned the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) as “corruption-laden” and decried withheld salaries and delayed promotion payments for lecturers.
On governance, ASUU raised concerns about political interference in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, citing the case of the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, whose promotion process it described as “contradictory.”
Calling on all patriots to press for swift resolution of outstanding labour issues, Piwuna declared: “Nigerian academics are tired of excuses and endless MoUs. The time to act is now.”
By Makinde oyinkansola| August 9, 2025
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