The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised fresh concerns over the Federal Government’s handling of its long-standing demands, warning that lecturers may soon embark on a nationwide strike if urgent action is not taken. The union has called on stakeholders, including the National Assembly, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and students, to prevail on the government to avert another shutdown of Nigerian universities.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Akure Zone, Professor Adeola Egbedokun, said the administration of President Bola Tinubu had failed to address critical issues affecting university teachers since assuming office two years ago. He stressed that government’s reluctance to act on repeated calls and agitations had stretched the patience of lecturers to its breaking point.
Egbedokun listed ASUU’s demands to include the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, sustainable funding and revitalisation of the university system, payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears, resolution of stagnated promotions spanning over four years, settlement of unremitted third-party deductions, and an end to the alleged victimisation of members in certain institutions. He warned that ignoring these issues would spell dire consequences for the already fragile education system.
The ASUU leader noted that although government had scheduled a meeting for August 28, 2025, the union was running out of patience. “The clock is ticking, and time is no longer on the government’s side. Trust has been shattered, and only decisive action can mend it,” he said. He added that the National Executive Committee of ASUU had resolved to keep “all options on the table,” including industrial action.
Egbedokun cautioned that the consequences of a strike would be far-reaching if government chose “provocation over responsibility.” He insisted that the future of the nation’s universities was at stake, stressing that the Federal Government alone must bear responsibility if the system is once again plunged into crisis.
