The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed approximately 20 state universities to proceed on an indefinite strike within two weeks, following what it describes as the failure of state and federal governments to fully implement the 2025 renegotiated agreement. The directive was issued by ASUU President Christopher Piwuna in a statement on Monday, August 11, 2026, after the union's national executive council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026.
Background: The 2025 FG-ASUU Agreement
The federal government signed a renegotiated agreement with ASUU on January 14, 2026, ending a near 16-year stalemate over welfare conditions for university lecturers. The deal, reached after negotiations concluded in December 2025, covers payments such as the consolidated academic tools allowance (CATA), earned academic allowance (EAA), and a professorial allowance aimed at improving conditions for teaching staff.
However, months after the signing, frustration has grown over how the agreement is being carried out. Reports indicate that only about 10 state universities have fully met their obligations under the deal, while more than 57 others are yet to do so.
ASUU's Concerns and Directive
Piwuna said the NEC was concerned by what it described as the "haphazard implementation" of the agreement and the "lackadaisical attitude" of the federal government in releasing the funds needed to make the deal work. He stated: "NEC discussed the state of the struggle and noted that a significant milestone had been reached signing the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, but frowned at the haphazard implementation and lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government in the release of subvention to fully actualise the implementation of the said 2025 Agreement."
The NEC directed the affected institutions to first issue a formal 14-day ultimatum to their respective state governments before beginning the strike.
List of 20 Affected Universities
The 20 universities named include:
- 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
- Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil
- Northwest University, Kano
- Enugu State University of Science and Technology
- Imo State University
- Niger Delta University
- University of Africa, Toru-Orua
- Bayelsa Medical University
- Taraba State University, Jalingo
Impact and Next Steps
Students in these institutions now face the prospect of fresh academic disruptions if their state governments fail to act within the two-week window set by ASUU. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Nigerian federal government concluded a major agreement with ASUU as part of a renewed effort to reposition Nigeria's higher education sector, designed to strengthen cooperation, improve learning outcomes, and promote long-term development across public universities.
