ASUU STRIKES : Nationwide Strike Looms Over Unpaid Salaries, Broken Promises..

on


Nigeria’s public universities are once again on the brink of disruption as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) intensifies pressure on the Federal Government over long‑standing demands. With growing frustration over unpaid salaries, ignored agreements, and stalled reforms, the union has begun mobilizing for what could become another nationwide strike.

Background and Trigger

  • In July 2025, ASUU officially declared a strike in federal universities over the non‑payment of June salaries, invoking its “No Pay, No Work” policy after salaries were delayed beyond three days into the new month. Although some branches have received payments and are exempt, many remain on strike and have activated monitoring teams to ensure full compliance. 

  • Earlier, in August 2025, ASUU chapters across several universities staged protests demanding full implementation of long-neglected agreements, better funding, and stronger institutional autonomy. As of early October, the union has given the government a 14‑day ultimatum, starting from late September 2025, threatening to shift to an indefinite nationwide strike if its demands are unmet.

Key Demands



ASUU’s demands reflect both long-standing and newly emphasized grievances. Major points include:

  1. Payment of Salary Arrears & Withheld Salaries
    The union demands payment of delayed June salaries and several months of withheld pay across affected branches. 

  2. Implementation of the 2009 ASUU‑FG Agreement
    ASUU insists the government must honour the terms of the 2009 agreement, including periodic renegotiation that has repeatedly been ignored. 

  3. Promotion Arrears and Wage Awards
    The union is pushing for the payment of promotion arrears (2018–2025) and the outstanding 25% and 35% wage awards for professors and lecturers. 

  4. Opposition to Government Loan Scheme
    Instead of offering lecturers loans under a “Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF),” ASUU argues that what lecturers need is direct payment of their dues, not new debt burdens. 

  5. Revitalisation of University Infrastructure & Funding
    The union warns of collapsing facilities, brain drain, and deteriorating academic standards if funding reforms are not put in place. 

  6. University Autonomy & Academic Freedom
    ASUU also demands full autonomy for universities and freedom from politicised interference in university governance. ThisDayLive+1

Impacts and Risks

  • Academic Calendar Disruption: With classes suspended, semesters will be delayed, and graduation timelines may be pushed forward, affecting students, especially those preparing for postgraduate programs or job entry.

  • Student Frustration: Many students have expressed anxiety over lost time, extra financial burdens, and uncertainty about their academic futures.

  • Institutional Reputations: Nigeria’s public universities risk losing standing among regional and international peers if strikes become persistent.

  • Economic Spillovers: Local economies around campuses suffer from lost business generated by students, and private institutions may see enrollment surges, pushing up fees.

  • Political & Social Pressure: Stakeholders — from parents to lawmakers — may increase pressure on both ASUU and the government.




Responses & Negotiations

  • Federal Government
    In response, the government has assured it is taking steps to resolve the crisis but insists some of ASUU’s proposals are unworkable. It has also promised dialogue with the union. Vanguard News+1

  • ASUU’s Position
    ASUU has maintained that it prefers dialogue but warns that patience has run out, and the stewardship of public university education is at stake. ThisDayLive+2Nairametrics+2

  • Stakeholder Appeals
    The union has called on the National Assembly, religious and traditional leaders, and students’ groups to intervene. 

What Comes Next?

  • If the Federal Government fails to act within the 14‑day ultimatum (from September 28, 2025), ASUU may transition from warning strikes to full, indefinite nationwide industrial action.

  • Monitoring of each university branch’s compliance will intensify.

  • Public pressure may mount, forcing both parties into high-stakes negotiation or third-party mediation.

  • The outcome will likely have lasting implications for higher education funding, collective bargaining norms, and institutional stability in Nigeria.


Comments

Post a Comment