Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has taken a decisive step towards what could become another wave of industrial action across Nigeria's tertiary institutions, authorising branches in 21 universities to issue 14-day ultimatums to their respective authorities over the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement. The decision, reached at the union's National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9, 2026, signals growing frustration among lecturers who say the government has failed to honour commitments made nearly eight months ago.
In a statement containing the resolutions of the meeting and signed by ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, the union expressed deep concern over what it described as the "haphazard implementation and lackadaisical attitude" of the Federal Government towards the 2025 agreement. The union also criticised the failure of visitors to several state-owned universities to implement the agreement, saying the situation had compelled affected branches to seek approval to commence procedures for industrial action. According to the resolutions, the affected branches were directed to issue 14-day ultimatums and, where their demands were not met, proceed on strike.
The universities given the 14-day ultimatum are Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; Gombe State University; Plateau State University, Bokkos; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Abia State University, Uturu; University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa; Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo; Kaduna State University; Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil; Northwest University, Kano; Enugu State University of Science and Technology; Imo State University, Owerri; Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island; University of Africa, Toru-Orua; Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa; and Taraba State University, Jalingo.
The union directed that upon the expiration of the ultimatums, the affected branches should embark on strike to press home their demands. The NEC also noted that branches within the Sokoto Zone had already issued a two-week ultimatum, and that an emergency NEC meeting would be convened at the end of August or early September 2026 to review the situation and take further decisions.
Already, some branches have not waited for the ultimatums to expire. Academic activities have been disrupted at Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Imo State University, Owerri, following indefinite strikes declared by their chapters. At Nasarawa State University, the chapter declared a total and indefinite strike over alleged unpaid entitlements estimated at more than N3 billion, including Earned Academic Allowance, consequential adjustments arising from the implementation of the national minimum wage and the Federal Government-approved salary increase for university lecturers. The chapter chairman, Dr Zubairu Loko, said the union had held several meetings with the university management, Governing Council and Nasarawa State Government to resolve the issues but without success. "Enough is enough. We have withdrawn our services. There will be no teaching, no supervision, no research until our money is paid," he declared.
At Imo State University, the ASUU chapter also commenced an indefinite strike over the failure of the Imo State Government to implement the 2025 agreement between the union and the Federal Government. The union said it had waited for nearly eight months for the agreement to be implemented, noting that some other state universities had already commenced implementation. The union's grievances include the continued deduction of the university's internally generated revenue into the Treasury Single Account, which it described as an erosion of university autonomy, non-payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2016 and outstanding salaries owed some members.
ASUU further reaffirmed its earlier "No-pay-No-work" position, which allows branches to take action where salaries are not paid by the third day of the following month. "Branches in federal universities whose salaries were underpaid, including Universities of Agriculture, were mandated to take action to press home their demands," the union added. The union also reaffirmed its position rejecting the National Education Repository Databank (NERD) until concerns relating to its hosting and intellectual property rights are clarified. On national affairs, NEC encouraged members to participate in the political process and approved the establishment of an ASUU Independent Monitoring Group to monitor and observe elections in Nigeria.
The decision to authorise strike procedures at 21 universities marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between the union and the government. The 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, signed on December 23, 2025, was meant to address long-standing grievances including improved welfare packages, better conditions of service and enhanced funding for public universities. Its implementation was expected to bring a measure of stability to the university system, but the union has consistently complained of partial and selective implementation by both federal and state governments.
As the 14-day countdown begins, students, parents and university administrators face an anxious wait. If the ultimatums expire without concrete action, the industrial action could disrupt academic calendars, prolong students' years of study and deepen the crisis in Nigeria's public university system. The emergency NEC meeting scheduled for the end of August or early September will be critical in determining whether the dispute escalates into a full-scale shutdown or whether the government moves to avert yet another round of industrial action. For now, the lecturers have made their position clear: they have waited long enough, and they are prepared to strike.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments