Nationwide Strike Looms as ASUU Urges Intervention Over Unmet Demands, Protests Erupt Across Campuses

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, calling on key stakeholders—including the National Assembly, religious and traditional leaders, and students—to prevail on the government to avert a nationwide strike over unresolved issues plaguing the university system.

The union’s call follows widespread protests held across various federal universities in Nigeria, where lecturers voiced frustration over unpaid entitlements, outdated salary structures, and the government’s handling of long-standing agreements.

Describing a recent government offer of loans to lecturers as a “Greek gift,” ASUU maintains that such measures are unnecessary if the government meets its existing obligations. “The loans are to be guaranteed by our union. This is not necessary. The governing council of each university can give loans to our members based on our condition of service,” said Prof. Idou Keinde, ASUU Chairman at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), during a campus protest.

Responding to the growing tensions, the Federal Ministry of Education expressed hope that the situation would not escalate into a full-blown strike. “A delegation of the Federal Ministry of Education, to be led by the Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, will be meeting with the leaders of the union on Thursday (tomorrow), and I am confident that things would be sorted out. Nothing will be allowed to get out of hand,” said Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, Director of Public Affairs at the ministry.

However, ASUU leaders across several zones and institutions voiced growing disillusionment, citing years of government inaction. At the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof. Adeola Egbedokun, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Akure Zone, warned: “We will fight back and the consequences would be damning, except the government takes a decisive step to attend to all our requests urgently. Our patience has been stretched to its breaking point.”

In Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, ASUU members at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), led by Prof. Opeyemi Olajide, suspended ongoing Computer-Based Tests (CBT), sending students home. “The government has decided to destroy the public university system as it did to public primary and secondary schools,” he stated.

At the University of Jos, Comrade Jurbe Molwus urged President Bola Tinubu to “renew our hope,” lamenting the lack of progress in negotiations that have spanned over eight years. “Trust has been destroyed by government,” he warned.

In Umudike, Abia State, ASUU members at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU) decried the outdated salary structure. “The 2009 renegotiated agreement recommending less than N500,000 as a professor’s take-home pay is a mockery, far below the African average of N1.5 million,” said Prof. Chike Ugwuene. The union also demanded the release of N150 billion in revalidation funds, as captured in the 2025 budget.

At the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), Dr. Sylvanus Ugoh disclosed that lecturers are owed three and a half months’ salaries, a year’s arrears of wage awards, and over five years of unpaid promotion arrears.

Similarly, lecturers at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, led by Comrade Louis Omenyi, condemned the continued use of an “expired salary structure” by the government.

The University of Ibadan (UI) and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (Oyo) also witnessed large protests. ASUU Chairman at UI, Dr. Adefemi Afolabi, warned of an indefinite strike if the government fails to sign the renegotiated agreement by August 28. “We have been pushed to the wall,” he declared.

Dr. Alex Akanmu, ASUU Chairman at the University of Ilorin, added: “University workers are not slaves. As peace-loving as we are, we can no longer allow the welfare of our members to be subjected to delay tactics.”

At the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), ASUU Chairman Dr. Abubakar Mshelia highlighted the indignity of professors retiring on N150,000 while inflation exceeds 21%. “This is not just a labour issue, it is a national disgrace. A country that treats its intellectuals with such disregard cannot expect meaningful progress,” he stated.

With the union’s ultimatum set for August 28, ASUU has warned that failure to act could lead to a total shutdown of public universities across the country.