Why 16 ASUU Strikes Have Failed to Rescue Nigeria’s Failing Universities
Story: written by Joseph October 22,2025
Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, the nation’s higher education system has been repeatedly crippled by industrial actions led by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). In 26 years, the union has gone on strike at least 16 times, citing chronic underfunding, dilapidated infrastructure, and unfulfilled government promises.
Yet, despite decades of disruptions, little progress has been made in improving university education. Nigeria’s institutions remain absent from top global rankings such as the 2025 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Uniranks lists, which featured universities from South Africa and Egypt as Africa’s best. None of Nigeria’s universities appeared even in the top 20.
Beyond rankings, Nigerian lecturers still face limited access to research grants, poor funding for academic exchange programmes, and outdated facilities. Laboratories, libraries, and lecture halls across campuses show minimal signs of progress despite countless months of lost learning.
The latest 14-day warning strike in 2025 adds to a long history of shutdowns. Since 1999, ASUU has downed tools for varying durations — from three days in 2005 to the record nine-month strike in 2020 over salary payment systems and university autonomy. These recurrent strikes have turned the academic calendar into chaos, forcing students to spend six years completing four-year courses.
Education experts believe that both the government and ASUU share the blame for the sector’s stagnation. Dr. Nubi Achebo, Director of Academic Planning at the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM), advised the government to honor its past agreements and ensure timely funding. He also urged ASUU to explore alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration.
Similarly, University of Lagos student Hauwa Mohammed lamented the devastating effect of repeated strikes on students’ futures. While acknowledging ASUU’s valid concerns about funding and welfare, she argued that the union should focus on constructive engagement, policy advocacy, and collaboration with other education stakeholders rather than endless strikes.
For many Nigerians, the question remains: if 16 strikes in 26 years have not transformed the university system, perhaps it’s time to change the strategy — before another generation of students pays the price.
