The Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Jos branch, has warned that Nigeria’s public university system may face another industrial crisis due to what it described as the Federal Government’s slow and inconsistent implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement.
Speaking during a press conference held at the union’s secretariat within the University of Jos on Monday, branch leaders expressed growing frustration among academic staff, warning that the fragile peace currently existing across public universities could soon collapse if urgent measures are not taken.
According to the union, its National Executive Council (NEC), which met at Modibbo Adama University on May 9 and 10, 2026, reviewed the implementation of the agreement signed with the Federal Government on December 23, 2025.
The union said the NEC expressed dissatisfaction with the level of compliance by government authorities, warning that failure to fully implement the agreement could trigger another nationwide strike action across public universities.
ASUU accused the Federal Government of failing to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), which was created to supervise the execution of the agreement and address administrative challenges associated with its implementation.
According to the union, the absence of the committee has resulted in what it described as selective and distorted implementation of major salary-related components of the agreement.
The affected components include the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CATA), Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), Professorial Allowance, and various responsibility allowances for lecturers.
Despite its concerns, ASUU commended Sa’adu Zungur University and Ekiti State University for partially implementing aspects of the agreement.
The union, however, urged other institutions and relevant authorities to act quickly to prevent a breakdown of industrial harmony within the nation’s tertiary education sector.
ASUU also criticised the Federal Government’s establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), recently announced by Tunji Alausa, without prior consultation with the union.
The lecturers’ union questioned the proposed dollar-denominated funding structure attached to the initiative, warning that it could expose Nigeria’s education sector to external control and what it termed neo-liberal influence.
According to ASUU, provisions relating to research funding were already captured within the 2025 agreement and should therefore be fully implemented.
The union further highlighted unresolved welfare issues affecting lecturers nationwide, including unpaid arrears of the 25/35 per cent wage award, promotion arrears, withheld salaries from the 2022 strike action, salary shortfalls associated with the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and unremitted third-party deductions.
ASUU maintained that the withholding of salaries under the “no work, no pay” policy introduced during the 2022 strike was unjustifiable.
The union argued that lecturers continued carrying out research activities, academic engagements, and community services during the strike period.
It also raised concerns regarding the welfare of retired academics, especially those in state-owned universities, citing delays in pension harmonisation and outstanding pension arrears being handled by the National Pension Commission.
The union appealed to Bola Tinubu to intervene and address the plight of affected retirees.
ASUU additionally criticised recent education policy decisions by the Federal Government, including the reversal of the mother-tongue instruction policy in early childhood education.
The union also faulted the proposed Transnational Education arrangement involving Coventry University, describing the initiative as a neo-colonial academic model.
Furthermore, ASUU opposed plans to abolish certain university courses, insisting that all academic disciplines play important roles in national growth and development.
The union equally criticised proposals introducing academic titles such as “Professor of Practice” and “Diaspora Professor,” warning that such measures threaten university autonomy.
Beyond the education sector, ASUU expressed concern over worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and rising political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the union, increasing poverty, unemployment, and insecurity are worsening living conditions across Nigeria and fuelling public frustration.
It warned that continued failure by the government to implement the agreement and settle outstanding entitlements could provoke another industrial crisis in public universities.
“Government insensitivity to these issues is brewing pent-up anger that may erupt if not properly managed,” the union warned.
The press conference concluded with a call on governments and relevant stakeholders to urgently ensure full implementation of the 2025 agreement in order to maintain stability within Nigeria’s public university system.
