ASUU Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Unmet 2009 Agreement

▪︎ Union accuses FG of ignoring revitalisation and welfare demands

▪︎ Says unpaid arrears, withheld promotions, and poor pensions remain unresolved

▪︎ Decision on strike to follow after August 28 government meeting

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that it may declare a nationwide strike over the Federal Government’s refusal to honour its 2009 agreement on the funding and revitalisation of public universities.

ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, speaking at a press conference in Jos on Thursday, accused the government of abandoning promises made to lecturers for over two years, leaving unresolved issues of salary arrears, withheld promotions, and retirement benefits.

We have written several letters to the Federal Government, urging them to address these issues amicably. Unfortunately, the government has ignored all our appeals,” Piwuna said.

He insisted that the union had been forced into strike actions in the past due to government negligence, warning that the situation may repeat itself if nothing changes.

The ASUU president also rejected the government’s proposed loan scheme for tertiary institution staff, describing it as a “trap”, while emphasising that members require fair remuneration and not debts.

“Our members do not need loans. What we need is the implementation of agreements that will improve our purchasing power. The government still owes us three months’ salaries, yet it is asking us to borrow money,” he said.

Piwuna condemned the government’s continuous creation of new universities without adequate funding, arguing that it has weakened standards and dragged Nigeria’s global ranking down.

On pensions, the union lamented that professors who dedicated over 40 years of service now receive as little as ₦150,000 monthly, despite the high cost of living.

He revealed that the union will monitor the outcome of a government meeting scheduled for August 28 before taking a final decision. In the meantime, ASUU members are set to hold rallies across university campuses next week to press home their demands.

“Time is running out. We cannot continue to wait endlessly while the future of Nigerian universities is destroyed,” he warned.

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