The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again raised the alarm over what it described as the Federal Government’s deliberate neglect of its commitments, warning that a fresh nationwide strike may be imminent if urgent steps are not taken to resolve lingering issues.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the University of Jos on Thursday, ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, accused the government of betraying the trust of university lecturers through years of unfulfilled promises, failed negotiations, and disregard for the union’s demands.
According to him, unresolved matters include the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, unpaid salary arrears, withheld promotions, the welfare of retired academics, and the revitalisation of Nigeria’s public universities.
“The Nigerian public should note that ASUU has written several letters to the Federal Government, appealing for an amicable resolution of these crises. Unfortunately, our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Time and again, it is the government that pushes ASUU to the edge, leaving us with no choice but to consider industrial action,” Piwuna said.
He further criticised the government’s proposed Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Loan Scheme, dismissing it as a “trap” that fails to address the realities faced by lecturers.
“Our members do not need loans. What we demand is the full implementation of agreements that will restore our purchasing power. To date, government still owes us three months’ salaries, yet it wants us to borrow money,” he declared.
ASUU also condemned the unchecked proliferation of universities without sustainable funding plans, warning that such policies have eroded standards and worsened Nigeria’s global academic rankings.
On pensions, the union lamented the plight of retired professors, many of whom, after decades of service, earn as little as ₦150,000 monthly despite skyrocketing inflation and cost of living.
The union disclosed that it will await the outcome of a crucial government meeting scheduled for August 28 before announcing its next course of action. However, it revealed plans to hold protest rallies across campuses next week to express the frustrations of its members.
“Time is running out. We cannot continue to wait endlessly while the future of Nigerian universities is being destroyed,” Piwuna warned.
With this stern warning, fears are mounting that Nigeria may soon face another round of ASUU strike, a development that could further cripple an already fragile education system.
