The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos branch, has warned that Nigeria’s public universities may be heading for another industrial crisis over what it described as the Federal Government’s slow and inconsistent implementation of the 2025 agreement reached with the union.
Speaking during a press conference at the union’s secretariat on Monday, the branch leadership said frustration was mounting among lecturers, warning that the fragile peace currently existing in the university system could soon break down if urgent action was not taken.
The union disclosed that its National Executive Council (NEC), which met at Modibbo Adama University on May 9 and 10, 2026, reviewed the implementation of the December 23, 2025 agreement with the Federal Government and expressed dissatisfaction with the level of compliance.
ASUU warned that failure by the government to fully implement the agreement could trigger another round of nationwide industrial action in public universities.
The union accused the Federal Government of failing to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), established to oversee execution of the agreement and address possible administrative delays.
According to ASUU, the absence of the committee has led to what it described as selective and distorted implementation of critical salary-related provisions, including the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CATA), Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), Professorial Allowance, and other responsibility allowances.
The union, however, commended Sa’adu Zungur University and Ekiti State University for partially implementing aspects of the agreement and urged other institutions and authorities to act quickly to prevent a nationwide breakdown of industrial harmony.
ASUU also criticised the Federal Government’s establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), announced by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, without consultation with the union.
The union questioned the proposed dollar-denominated funding structure of the initiative, warning that it could expose Nigeria’s education sector to external influence and what it termed “neo-liberal control mechanisms.”
It insisted that research funding provisions already contained in the 2025 agreement should be fully implemented.
ASUU further highlighted unresolved welfare issues affecting lecturers, including arrears of the 25/35 per cent wage award, promotion arrears, withheld salaries from the 2022 strike action, salary shortfalls linked to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and unremitted third-party deductions.
The union maintained that the withholding of salaries under the “no work, no pay” policy was unjustifiable, arguing that lecturers continued academic activities such as research and community engagement during the strike period.
Concerns were also raised over the welfare of retired academics, especially in state universities, with ASUU citing prolonged pension arrears and delays in pension harmonisation by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
The union appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and address the plight of affected retirees.
ASUU also faulted recent education policy decisions by the Federal Government, including the reversal of the mother-tongue instruction policy in early childhood education and the proposed Transnational Education arrangement involving Coventry University, which it described as a “neo-colonial academic model.”
The union opposed moves to scrap certain university courses, insisting that all academic disciplines contribute to national development.
It further criticised the proposed introduction of academic titles such as “Professor of Practice” and “Diaspora Professor,” warning that such measures could undermine university autonomy.
Beyond the education sector, ASUU expressed concern over worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and rising political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The union warned that increasing poverty, unemployment, and insecurity were worsening living conditions across the country and heightening public frustration.
It cautioned that continued failure to implement the agreement and settle outstanding entitlements could provoke fresh industrial action.
“Government insensitivity to these issues is brewing pent-up anger that may erupt if not properly managed,” the union warned.
The press conference ended with a call on governments and relevant stakeholders to urgently ensure full implementation of the 2025 agreement in order to safeguard stability in Nigeria’s public university system.
