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Union accuses FG of failing to honour 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement
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Describes government’s loan scheme as a “poison chalice” for lecturers
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Rallies to be held on campuses next week as warning signal
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that it may embark on strike over the federal government’s persistent failure to honour agreements and address challenges in Nigeria’s university system.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday at the University of Jos, ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said the union had been “pushed to the wall” after over two years of waiting without results.
He accused the government of deliberate delay in renegotiating the 2009 Agreement, paying salary arrears, and implementing revitalisation measures.
“Trust has been destroyed by government. It is, therefore, up to them to regain it to avert any strike,” Prof. Piwuna declared.
ASUU criticised government’s inaction despite receiving the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed Report in February 2025, saying it undermines Nigeria’s commitment to the International Labour Organisation’s principles of collective bargaining. While acknowledging a planned meeting with government on August 28, the union warned that time was running out.
It strongly rejected the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), describing it as a “poison chalice.” Piwuna insisted that lecturers need improved wages, not loans that would “enslave” members already in debt.
The union also faulted the proliferation of universities, accusing governments of turning them into political tools. It lamented that Nigeria now has 339 universities, many without basic facilities or staff, and urged government to extend the moratorium on public universities to private ones.
ASUU raised alarm over the plight of retired professors under the Contributory Pension Scheme, noting that many who served for decades are left with meagre pensions as low as ₦150,000 in a difficult economy.
Following its NEC meeting at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, ASUU resolved to wait for the August 28 government meeting before final action but announced rallies across campuses next week as a warning.
READ ALSO: ASUU rejects federal government loan scheme, vows nationwide protests
“We cannot continue this journey with empty tanks. If the government fails to act, ASUU will have no choice but to embark on action to defend public university education,” Piwuna said.
The union restated its demands for renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement, revitalisation of universities, sustainable funding, and protection of members from victimisation. It placed responsibility for any looming strike squarely on the government.
