The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government about an impending full-scale industrial action that could paralyze academic activities across public universities in Nigeria.
Government's Discouraging Approach Sparks Crisis
Professor Biodun Olaniran, the Coordinator of ASUU's Ibadan Zone, revealed during a press conference at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso that the union may have no choice but to embark on a comprehensive strike. He attributed this looming crisis to what he described as the Federal Government's discouraging approach to resolving the ongoing industrial dispute.
The core issue remains the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, which is currently being handled by the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed-led committee. This committee is expected to produce a new salary structure to replace the outdated Consolidated University Salary Scale (CONUASS), considering Nigeria's persistent inflationary trend.
Failed Negotiations and Broken Promises
ASUU had previously declared a two-week warning strike on October 13, 2025, which was suspended five days before its expiration following interventions from students, parents, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), media, and other stakeholders. The union subsequently gave a one-month window, in line with the NLC's ultimatum, for the government to conclude negotiations.
Professor Olaniran expressed deep disappointment that with just eight days remaining before the expiration of the union's ultimatum, the government has failed to demonstrate seriousness. He lamented that only misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda have characterized the renegotiation process.
The National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, which met at Taraba State University on November 8 and 9, reviewed the union's engagements with both Federal and state university authorities. The council expressed grave concern over growing insecurity, economic hardship, and the worsening welfare of academic staff across the country.
Unresolved Financial Grievances
While acknowledging the release of part of the four-year promotion arrears and third-party deductions such as union dues, cooperative contributions, and pension deductions, Professor Olaniran insisted that these gestures should not be misconstrued as full resolution of ASUU's demands.
He revealed several critical outstanding issues:
- Three-and-a-half months' salaries of ASUU members in federal universities, withheld following the 2022 strike, remain unpaid
- Many state universities have failed to pay withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and Earned Academic Allowances (EAA)
- Osun State University is yet to release salaries withheld in 2018 and 2020
- LAUTECH and KWASU still have outstanding EAA and promotion arrears
Professor Olaniran described these actions as indifferent, anti-progress, anti-labour, and inhumane, demanding unconditional payment of all withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and outstanding EAAs to academic staff.
Comparative Analysis Reveals Stark Disparities
The ASUU coordinator highlighted that Nigerian academics have been on the same salary structure for 16 years, while their counterparts in many West African countries earn significantly higher wages. He contrasted this with Nigerian politicians who remain among the highest-paid globally, arguing that the problem is not lack of resources but lack of political will to properly fund quality education.
The Ibadan Zone of ASUU comprises University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osun State University, Kwara State University, and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education.
Professor Olaniran made a passionate appeal to all stakeholders to prevail on the government to avert the looming crisis, warning that unless the government takes decisive action to offer a competitive salary structure within the remaining timeline, students in public universities may once again experience disruptions to their academic calendar.
