The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the Federal Government to honour the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement or risk a nationwide industrial action.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, issued the warning during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, emphasising the urgent need for the government to fulfil its commitments and address the deteriorating conditions in Nigerian universities.
He outlined nine critical unresolved issues, including the stalled renegotiation of the agreement since 2017, withheld salaries from the 2022 strike, and unpaid entitlements associated with the controversial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Piwuna also criticised the government’s failure to release revitalisation funds and earned academic allowances, despite earlier commitments. He noted that promises to inject ₦150 billion into universities and review irregular allowances by 2026 remain unfulfilled.
The ASUU president decried the marginalisation of union members in state institutions such as Kogi State University and Lagos State University, citing ongoing victimisation, non-payment of salaries, and job insecurity, all of which continue to undermine staff morale.
On the issue of university autonomy, Piwuna accused the government of political interference in the selection of institutional leadership, naming Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the University of Abuja as examples.
He warned that universities are increasingly becoming battlegrounds for political and economic interests — a trend he described as deeply troubling and unacceptable.
Calling for national renewal through education, Piwuna advocated the convening of a national education summit to address core issues such as funding, institutional autonomy, and academic welfare.
“Education empowers citizens, drives innovation, and instils values. Without it, development is impossible,” he said.
Piwuna reaffirmed ASUU’s commitment to reforming Nigeria’s university system and appealed to patriotic Nigerians and the international community to support the union’s cause.
“Our universities should be centres of innovation and solutions to national challenges,” he said. “We remain open to dialogue, but we will not tolerate further erosion of our rights.”
