The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is beating the drums of war again: it is mulling an industrial action to press home its demands on the yet-to-be- resolved 2009 Agreement. Though the Federal Government in April announced the release of N50 billion Earned Allowances for university unions, ASUU reckons that its patience is waning regarding the delay in the release of N150 billion revitalisation funds, among other demands. The union doesn’t want the government to test its resolve further because it had delayed embarking on strikes for about a year. Is strike appropriate at this time despite the peace and stability on campuses and after the government had shown commitment? DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports
THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is back to its default mode, perhaps. Going by latest reports in the media, the union is threatening to embark on strike. It said it had not gone on strike for about a year, since the advent of the President Bola Tinubu administration. Observers believe the union has weaponised industrial action to make the Federal Government accede to its numerous demands.
The bone of contention
The bone of contention this time is the 2009 renegotiated agreement, though the union wants the government to release the N150 billion revitalisation funds for universities, which it claimed was agreed to be disbursed within four weeks with effect from last month.
President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, berated the level of implementation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, stressing that a large number of issues still remain unattended to.
According to Piwuna, the issues still needing attention include conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021; release of withheld three-and-half months salaries on account of the 2022 strike action; release of unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical, part-time and adjunct appointments due to the application of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS); and release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
The ASUU helmsman stressed the need to swiftly act on funding for revitalisation of public universities; payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA); proliferation of universities by federal and state governments; non-constitution of some universities’ governing councils and adoption of University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) in place of IPPIS.
He said: “It is noted that the government has made promises on some of these issues. The government agreed to mainstream the EAA into the salaries with the creation of “Irregular Allowance” as a budget line in the 2026 Budget, after the release of N50 billion for backlog and budgeting N29 billion for payment of 2025 Earned Academic Allowances. Similarly, the government also agreed to release N150 billion as revitalisation funds within four weeks with effect from April, 2025.
“However, we are still waiting for the government to fulfill these promises. The union has also reached an understanding with the Yayale Ahmed-led Committee, with the review of the report of the Nimi Briggs-led FGN-ASUU Renegotiation Committee in December 2024. Again, ASUU members have been left in limbo; waiting for the signing of an agreement five months after. Delegates at the UNIBEN NDC exhaustively evaluated the government’s disposition in resolving outstanding issues with the union and expressed regrets that nothing has significantly changed in the last two years.
“The irreducible minimum that can guarantee industrial harmony in the Nigeria University System (NUS) is for government to speedily address all outstanding issues, including conclusion of the renegotiation of 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, payment of the withheld-three-and-half months’ salaries, release of the backlog of promotion arrears, payment of withheld salaries of sabbatical/part-time lecturers on account of not signing into the discredited IPPIS, and addressing the unjust victimisation of ASUU leaders and members in some state universities. Beyond these, we demand a faithful implementation of all issues arising from our previous Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Action (MoAs) government signed with ASUU since 2013.
“The Yayale Ahmed Committee should meet with their principals and get back to us as soon as possible. We have exhausted our patience in waiting for this renegotiated agreement.”
IPPIS, erosion of autonomy on the front-burner
Piwuna said:” We are discomfited by the ongoing attempts to completely erode the autonomy of public universities by the political class and the bureaucrats. The following are some examples: non-adherence to extant laws in the processes associated with appointment of principal officers in universities resulting in endless crises as recorded at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, University of Abuja, Alvan Ikoku University, Owerri and Admiralty University, Ibuzor.
“Undue interference by the Office of Head of Service, Ministries, Federal Character Commission and National Assembly in the administration of the universities contrary to the laws governing the institutions.
“Continued payment of salaries through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation using GIFMIS (abridged IPPIS) and expenditures using Treasury Single Account (TSA) system as against the understanding reached with ASUU. Overtly and covertly, Nigeria’s public universities are being turned into theatres of war during selection of principal officers while vested interests wantonly make incursions into the affairs of the universities for economic, political and sundry benefits. We call on all political actors and bureaucrats involved in these and related acts to retrace their steps as ASUU will not fold its arms and watch the continued derailment of our universities from their primary objects of quality teaching, research and community service.”
Fed Govt’s commitment
Though the union has threatened to embark on strike, the Federal Government last month released N50 billion to the academic and non-academic staff unions of federal universities for the settlement of earned allowances. This was a promise fulfilled by President Bola Tinubu.
Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, described the move as another testament to Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s education sector, emphasising that it reflects the administration’s bold resolve to transition the nation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy through huge and strategic investments in education, infrastructure and human capital development.
Also, Education Minister Tunji Alausa said: “This intervention is not just a financial transaction—it is a reaffirmation of our President’s belief in the capacity of Nigerian youth and the invaluable role that academic and non-academic staff play in nurturing them.
“By prioritising their welfare, we are laying the foundation for a future where every Nigerian child receives highly qualitative and globally competitive education.”
The minister also relayed the President’s appreciation to academic and non-academic unions for their sustained trust in his administration and for fostering an atmosphere of peace and cooperation across Nigeria’s federal institutions.
At the convocation ceremony of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, Tinubu had highlighted the importance of sustained funding for educational institutions, stressing that the Federal Government will enhance capital appropriations and provide more support through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund). He pledged that his administration will ensure that institutions of learning in the country are conducive for both students and staff.
Reiterating his commitment to education for all, the President said: “The youth are the heartbeat of our country. Their future is extremely important to me and my administration. Keeping our children in school is not negotiable. It is my commitment that strikes in our institutions will soon become a thing of the past.”
“Notably, the country is currently experiencing one of the longest uninterrupted academic sessions in recent history—a feat attributed to the mutual understanding and shared commitment between the government and the university community,” the president added.
NANS, students, parents on looming strike
Deputy National President and Board of Trustees Chairman of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said: “Government and ASUU are responsible for education. If there are certain areas of the 2009 Agreement that the government cannot meet, it should tell the union. We are tired of ASUU strikes because of more money. ASUU should be understanding because of our children. Government should tell them what it can fulfill. Will our children come back home again because of strike? The strike usually causes a lot of disruptions such that children take to many unwanted acts. We plead with ASUU to negotiate more effectively with the government. Government should approve what it has the capacity to do for the sake of our children. The 2009 Agreement was signed by erstwhile President Good luck Jonathan, but it seems the current budget does not have capacity to approve everything.
Also, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) appealed to the union to sheathe its sword. Its National Public Relations Officer, Samson Ajasa Adeyemi, in a chat with The Nation, called on Education Minister to ensure the 2009 Agreement is honoured for the sake of students who are “experiencing economic hardship”.
He said: “The 2009 Agreement between FG and ASUU was a comprehensive framework aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s public university system. We are aware of recent earned allowances released by FG recently, even though that is not all about the agreement. We are also aware of funding for revitalisation, university autonomy, salary structure and visitation panels.
“My reaction is to plead with ASUU to ensure there are other means to achieve the said agenda and items in the 2009 agreement aside strike. This is a period where thousands of students are also experiencing economic hardship, which we hope will get better soon.
“To Federal Government, we implore the Minister for Education to do everything possible to ensure government fulfills their part of this agreement and honour it. To the new ASUU president, we will pay him a courtesy visit to ensure we work hand in hand to ensure their demands are met without using strike as a medium or tool.”
However, students are wary of another strike. They can still recall the longest strike in the nation’s education history, which occurred in 2020 for over eight months.
A student at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), who craved anonymity, said: “ASUU should put the students into consideration before embarking on this strike. This action will lead to an unplanned pause in the academic lives of millions of Nigerian students, which may take a negative toll on them (the students). On the other hand, the government should at least keep to their promises.”
President seeks loan for education, others
President Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting approval for a new external borrowing plan totalling over $21.5 billion.
The president said the proposed external borrowing is part of the Federal Government’s 2025–2026 borrowing plan, which focuses on key sectors of the economy.
“The 2025–2026 borrowing plan covers all sectors, with specific emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, growth, security and employment generation, as well as financial and monetary reforms, among others,” the letter read.
He said the loans are necessary to address infrastructure deficit and economic shocks brought about by the subsidy removal.
“In the light of the significant infrastructure deficit in the country and the paucity of financial resources needed to address this gap amid declining domestic demand, it has become essential to pursue prudent economic borrowing to close the financial shortfall. “This initiative aims to generate employment, promote skill acquisition, foster entrepreneurship, reduce poverty, and enhance food security, as well as to improve the livelihoods of Nigerians,” he said.
Thus, in the light of the foregoing, students, parents and stakeholders on the education space have appealed to ASUU for more patience because disruption of the academic calendar will cause unimaginable pain to students, not just new entrants, but those who are almost rounding off their programmes.
