ASUU warns of possible strike, demands urgent action on lingering issues

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that public universities in Nigeria may face another round of industrial action if the federal and state governments fail to address unresolved labour issues.

In a statement from its Festus Iyayi National Secretariat Complex, University of Abuja, ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, criticised recent remarks by Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who claimed strikes by university lecturers were a thing of the past.

Prof. Piwuna said such optimism would remain “wishful thinking” unless backed by concrete action, stressing that lecturers continue to work under dire conditions—teaching on empty stomachs, conducting research in poorly equipped facilities, and performing community service without adequate resources.

The union accused the government of failing to honour the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, which should have been renegotiated since 2012. It noted that a draft renegotiated agreement submitted by the Yayale Ahmed Committee in December 2024 remains unimplemented eight months later.

Key unresolved issues include improved conditions of service, adequate funding, university autonomy, and reforms to the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

ASUU also condemned the politicisation of vice-chancellor appointments, citing alleged irregularities in the leadership of Alvan Ikoku University of Education. It further criticised the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), describing it as corruption-prone and discriminatory against academics.

“Our members are tired of endless memoranda and promises. The time to act is now,” Piwuna declared, warning that government inaction could trigger another strike.

The union urged “all genuine patriots” to press authorities into taking immediate steps to safeguard the future of the university system.