Federal Government Moves to Prevent Looming ASUU Strike

The Federal Government is making fresh efforts to avert a nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which could disrupt academic activities across Nigeria’s public universities.

Officials from the Ministries of Labour and Employment, as well as Education, are reportedly preparing to meet with ASUU leadership in response to the union’s threat to shut down universities at the end of August 2025 over unresolved demands.

ASUU Threatens Fresh Strike

On Tuesday, lecturers staged nationwide protests across various campuses, halting academic activities and warning of a possible strike if the Federal Government fails to meet their demands.

Confirming government’s intervention, Mrs. Folasade Biriowo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, revealed that a meeting with ASUU was scheduled to take place on Thursday.

“The Federal Government is set to hold a meeting with the ASUU leadership this morning to avert the strike,” she stated.

However, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, maintained that the union had not yet received an official invitation. “As of now, we’ve not been invited for any official meeting. If they invite us, of course, we would attend, but no formal notice has been given,” he said.

Core Issues Behind the Rift

The union’s grievances stem from long-standing disputes with the government. Some of the unresolved issues include:

Non-signing of the renegotiated 2009 agreement (which ASUU says is now effectively a 2025 agreement)

Non-payment of withheld salaries covering three and a half months

Non-payment of promotion arrears

Lack of release of revitalization funds to improve learning conditions

Non-remittance of third-party deductions

Introduction of a ₦150,000 monthly retirement benefit for professors, which ASUU has described as “a national embarrassment”

Concerns over the renaming of the University of Maiduguri after late President Muhammadu Buhari

ASUU further accused the government of consistently failing to implement past agreements despite several rounds of negotiations.

Brain Drain and Poor Facilities

Prof. Piwuna lamented the mass exodus of lecturers and medical consultants from Nigerian universities and teaching hospitals due to poor salaries and working conditions.

“In the Jos University Teaching Hospital alone, at least 20 consultants have left in the last two years. The same is happening in our universities. If everybody is leaving because of poor pay, why can’t the government improve salaries to retain staff?” he asked.

He also highlighted the poor state of facilities, stating that Nigeria’s universities rank low globally, with fewer than five out of 333 institutions making it into the top 1,000 in Africa.

“Go to any public university and ask female lecturers if they are comfortable using the restrooms. Many would rather drive home before returning to campus,” he noted.

Millions of Students at Risk

If ASUU proceeds with the strike, not less than 150 public universities could be shut down, affecting nearly two million students nationwide.

“At the University of Jos alone, we have about 34,000 students. When you calculate for second- and third-generation universities, the number nationwide could reach almost two million,” Prof. Piwuna explained.

Expert Opinion

Educationist Dr. Suleiman Babayo of the National University of Lesotho warned that another strike would further damage Nigeria’s already struggling education system.

“The system is collapsing. Nigerian universities are struggling to compete even within Africa. A prolonged strike will delay graduations, disrupt careers, and further discourage many from attending public universities,” he said.

Babayo urged the government to stop delaying implementation of already signed agreements. “The government has signed and accepted the agreement. All that is left is to enforce it. Instead, each time ASUU threatens to strike, they call for meetings, make promises, and then abandon the process.”

He also criticised government’s spending priorities: “If trillions can be allocated to road contracts, finding funds to revitalise universities should not be a problem. Pay the arrears, release the revitalisation funds, and implement the agreement. This issue can be resolved within a week if there’s political will.”

Call for Urgent Reforms

ASUU has repeatedly emphasised that strikes are not in the best interest of students or lecturers, but have become necessary due to government’s inaction.

“Lecturers are not happy with strikes. Our students are our children, our families are in the system, and we are all affected. But unless the government addresses these issues, instability in our universities will continue,” Prof. Piwuna said.

The union has also called on parents, civil society, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to join in advocating for reforms in Nigeria’s higher education sector.