ASUU Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Unfulfilled 2009 Agreement and Unpaid Salaries
Story: written by Daniel August 21,2025
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that it may embark on a nationwide strike following the Federal Government’s failure to implement the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement and address other lingering issues in Nigeria’s public universities.
Speaking at a press conference in Jos on Thursday, ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, accused the government of abandoning commitments made over a decade ago, leaving lecturers to endure poor working conditions and broken promises.
He identified the key issues as the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, unpaid salary arrears, withheld promotions, and inadequate welfare for retired lecturers.
“We have written several letters to the Federal Government, urging them to resolve these issues amicably. Unfortunately, the government has ignored our appeals. If nothing changes, ASUU may have no choice but to take action,” Piwuna said.
The ASUU president also dismissed the government’s proposed loan scheme for tertiary staff, describing it as a “trap.”
“Our members do not need loans. What we need is the implementation of agreements that will improve our purchasing power. The government still owes us three months’ salaries, yet it is asking us to borrow money,” he added.
ASUU further criticised the establishment of more universities without sustainable funding, warning that the policy is weakening standards and eroding Nigeria’s global ranking.
On pensions, the union lamented that professors who served the country for over 40 years now earn as little as ₦150,000 monthly despite the rising cost of living.
Piwuna disclosed that ASUU will await the outcome of a government meeting scheduled for August 28 before deciding its next line of action. Meanwhile, union members will hold rallies across campuses next week to press home their demands.
“Time is running out. We cannot continue to wait endlessly while the future of Nigerian universities is destroyed,” he warned.
