The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a strong warning to the Federal and State Governments, urging immediate action to avert an impending industrial crisis in Nigeria’s public universities.
Mediaplusng.com reports that ASUU President raised the alarm during a press briefing at the Festus Iyayi National Secretariat Complex, University of Abuja, stressing that government must move beyond rhetoric and address lingering labour issues affecting lecturers nationwide.
According to the ASUU President, recent remarks by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa—who assured that “never again” would ASUU or other academic unions embark on strike—were welcome, but insufficient without concrete action. “We share optimism about dialogue and maintaining relationships,” the union leader said, “but government must act decisively on our unresolved demands.”
ASUU decried the worsening welfare of lecturers, citing poor salaries, inadequate research materials, outdated laboratories, and rising living costs. Mediaplusng.com reports that the union accused successive governments of breaching the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, failing to honour provisions on funding, conditions of service, university autonomy, and academic freedom.
The statement also condemned political interference in the appointment of Vice Chancellors, warning against turning universities into “commodities for politicians and contractors.” ASUU described such practices as dangerous to academic integrity.
For years, ASUU has signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Action (MoAs) with government—in 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2020—but says no meaningful change has been implemented. “No memorandum or ‘discussion’ can replace a Collective Bargaining Agreement,” the President emphasised.
The union concluded by calling on all patriotic Nigerians to pressure government into addressing these issues without delay, warning that the alternative would be another prolonged shutdown of academic activities.
