Fresh crisis looms as ASUU faults FG on delayed salary implementation

Fresh industrial unrest may be brewing in Nigeria’s public universities as the Academic Staff Union of Universities has accused the Federal Government of failing to fully implement the 2025 agreement reached with the union, warning that the situation could trigger another nationwide strike.

The union disclosed that it would convene an emergency National Executive Council meeting in the coming weeks to assess the level of compliance with the agreement and decide on the next line of action.

In a statement signed by Christopher Piwuna, ASUU President, the union expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as the “distorted and uncoordinated” implementation of the agreement unveiled in January 2026.

The statement was made available to journalists during a National Executive Committee press conference held at Modibbo Adama University in Yola.

According to ASUU, unresolved issues include the non-payment of three-and-a-half months withheld salaries, promotion arrears, outstanding Earned Academic Allowances, shortfalls arising from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, unremitted third-party deductions, and unpaid arrears linked to the 25–35 per cent wage award.

“Our union’s doors remain open for working with the government to realise all our demands. At the same time, NEC directs an emergency meeting to be called in the next few weeks to review the situation and take appropriate action,” Piwuna stated.

The union noted that although the Federal Government announced a new agreement with ASUU in December 2025, implementation since January 2026 has remained inconsistent.

ASUU also faulted the government for failing to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee, which it said was expected to oversee the execution of the agreement and prevent bureaucratic delays.

“The momentum generated with the unveiling of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement on 14th January 2026 is fast waning and may soon be lost if the government’s promise to fully implement the agreement is not kept,” the statement read.

The lecturers’ union further alleged that some federal university administrators were selectively implementing aspects of the agreement, especially payments relating to Consolidated Academic Tool Allowances, Earned Academic Allowances, and Professorial Allowances.

It also accused several state governments of ignoring the agreement despite participating in negotiations leading to its signing.

ASUU stressed that the failure to fully implement the agreement could threaten industrial harmony across public universities and disrupt academic activities nationwide.

The union also criticised plans by the Federal Government to establish a National Research and Innovation Development Fund without consulting ASUU, noting that the proposal did not align with provisions earlier agreed upon in the 2025 pact.

The union called on President Bola Tinubu, relevant stakeholders, and Nigerians to prevail on both federal and state governments to honour the agreement and avert another shutdown of public universities.

Recurring disputes between ASUU and the government over salaries, funding, welfare, and university autonomy have over the years led to prolonged strikes that disrupted academic calendars and affected millions of students across the country.