ASUU WARNS OF POSSIBLE FRESH STRIKE OVER UNMET AGREEMENTS
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto Zone, has warned of a potential industrial crisis in Nigeria’s public universities, citing the Federal Government’s alleged failure to fully implement agreements reached with the union.
The warning was issued during a press briefing in Sokoto on Thursday, where the union accused both federal and state governments of neglecting key welfare and funding concerns affecting lecturers and the university system.
ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Abubakar Sabo, said delays in executing the 2025 FGN–ASUU Agreement were heightening tensions on campuses and threatening industrial harmony.
He noted that although the agreement was publicly signed in January 2026, the government is yet to set up the Implementation Monitoring Committee, resulting in delays and uneven application across universities.
Sabo warned that continued inaction could trigger avoidable industrial unrest in the sector.
He added that several institutions have not implemented the agreed 40 per cent salary increment tied to allowances such as the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CATA), Earned Academic Allowances, and Professorial Allowances.
The union also highlighted unresolved issues including arrears of the 25–35 per cent salary award, promotion arrears, salary discrepancies linked to IPPIS, withheld wages from the 2022 strike, and delayed pension payments for retired academics.
ASUU further raised concerns over challenges in some state-owned universities, such as unpaid allowances, non-remittance of deductions and union dues, lack of annual increments, and absence of governing councils.
Beyond welfare matters, the union criticised the Federal Government’s plan to establish a Nigerian campus of Coventry University under a transnational education arrangement, warning it could undermine local universities.
It also opposed proposals to phase out certain humanities and social science courses, insisting all disciplines remain vital to national development.
ASUU additionally expressed concern over worsening insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, noting that banditry, kidnappings, and communal violence were disrupting academic activities in affected areas.
The union called on governments at all levels to urgently address insecurity, poverty, and unemployment, and to fully implement agreements with university workers to prevent further disruptions in the education sector.
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