The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has drawn a red line in Oyo, Kwara and Enugu, warning that all state-owned universities in the three states will be shut indefinitely if governments fail to pay lecturers under the 2025 ASUU/Federal Government agreement by the end of July 2026.
The ultimatum came after a zonal meeting of ASUU Ibadan Zone at Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, on Tuesday. The zone covers UI, Unilorin, LAUTECH, UNIOSUN, KWASU and EAUED.
The ultimatum came after a zonal meeting of ASUU Ibadan Zone at Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, on Tuesday. The zone covers UI, Unilorin, LAUTECH, UNIOSUN, KWASU and EAUED.
Ibadan Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Biodun Olaniran, said lecturers at LAUTECH, KWASU and EAUED have been the hardest hit, battling “severe hardship” because Oyo and Kwara have not backed the agreement financially.
“It is provocative and unjust. Our members are being shortchanged by the governors and visitors of Oyo and Kwara states,” Olaniran told journalists.
He demanded that July 2026 salaries must include the Consequential Adjustment and Transport Allowance, CATA, plus all other allowances in the agreement. He also insisted on full payment of arrears dating back to January 2026.
“The patience of our members has been exhausted. We have commenced full mobilisation for a total, comprehensive and indefinite industrial action,” he said.
While commending governing councils for trying to mediate, Olaniran said only payment can restore peace. “Full implementation remains the only path to industrial harmony,” he added.
In a separate press conference in Enugu, ASUU Nsukka Zone issued the same threat to the Enugu State Government over ESUT, Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Christian Opata, said ESUT is the only institution in the zone yet to implement the 2025 deal.
“If by the end of July 2026, Enugu fails to act, we will embark on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike,” Opata declared.
He dismissed claims of no funds, citing Q1 2026 Federation Account allocations to Enugu. “Bauchi and Ogun have started implementation with lower allocations,” he noted.
Opata also said ESUT was yet to fully pay Earned Academic Allowance under the 2009 agreement. “How many strong academics will stay in a university that pays the least in the nation?” he asked.
The 2025 agreement covers pay adjustments, allowances and arrears for university lecturers nationwide. With UI, Unilorin, LAUTECH, KWASU, EAUED and ESUT now on notice, thousands of students face another shutdown if the July deadline is missed.
ASUU also used the opportunity to condemn rising insecurity, urging governments to protect communities around campuses.
