The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government: honor the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement or face a nationwide industrial action.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, delivered this ultimatum during a news conference in Abuja on Friday, emphasizing the critical need for the government to fulfill its promises and address the deteriorating conditions within Nigerian universities.
Piwuna highlighted nine critical unresolved issues, including the stalled renegotiation process that began in 2017.
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He specifically mentioned withheld salaries from the 2022 strike and unpaid entitlements linked to the controversial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
He also criticized the government’s inaction regarding the delayed release of revitalization funds and earned academic allowances.
Despite earlier promises to inject ₦150 billion into universities and adjust irregular allowances by 2026, these commitments remain unfulfilled.
The ASUU President also drew attention to the marginalization of ASUU members in state institutions like Kogi State University and Lagos State University, where he noted that victimization, salary denial, and job insecurity persist, severely undermining staff morale.
He further lamented that political interference has compromised the selection of university leaders, citing Nnamdi Azikiwe and Abuja universities as examples, and warned that universities are increasingly becoming “battlegrounds for political and economic interests,” which he deemed unacceptable.
Piwuna called for a national rebirth through education, stressing its vital role in Nigeria’s transformation and prosperity.
To address the current crisis, he proposed a national education summit focusing on key areas such as funding, autonomy, and academic welfare.
“Education empowers citizens, drives innovation, and instills values. Without it, development is impossible,” Piwuna asserted.
Reaffirming ASUU’s commitment to reforming Nigerian universities, he urged patriotic Nigerians and global allies to support their struggle.
“Our universities should be centres for solutions to national challenges,” Piwuna stated, adding, “We are open to dialogue but will not tolerate further erosion of our rights.”
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