By our Reporter
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has authorised 20 universities to commence processes for industrial action over the alleged failure of the Federal Government and state governments to fully implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement.
The union directed the affected branches to issue a 14-day ultimatum to their respective governments before embarking on strike to press home their demands.
The decision was contained in the resolutions of ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026.
In a statement on the outcome of the meeting, the President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said an emergency NEC meeting would be convened at the end of August or early September to review developments and take further decisions, “without prejudice to the decisions taken so far.”
The Union listed the affected universities as 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; and University University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa.
Others are 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; and Taraba State University, Jalingo.
ASUU said the affected branches would proceed on strike after the expiration of the ultimatum if their demands were not addressed.
The statement added that branches in the Sokoto Zone had already issued a two-week ultimatum.
ASUU President attributed the latest action to what it described as the “haphazard implementation” of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement and the “lackadaisical attitude” of the Federal Government towards releasing the subvention required for its full implementation.
“NEC discussed the state of the struggle and noted that a significant milestone had been reached in 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 statement said.
The union also expressed concern over the failure of visitors to some state-owned universities to implement provisions of the agreement, warning that the situation could undermine the gains recorded after the agreement was signed.
The 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, signed in December 2025 after more than 16 years of negotiations, was designed to address longstanding disputes over lecturers’ welfare, remuneration, working conditions and funding of public universities.
One of its major provisions was a 40 percent upward review of academic staff remuneration, effective January 1, 2026. The Federal Government announced in February that implementation of the salary increase had commenced.
The agreement also introduced the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), covering expenses associated with journal publications, membership of learned societies, conferences, internet access and books.
It further provided for a Professorial Cadre Allowance of N1.74 million annually, or N145,000 monthly, for professors, while readers are entitled to N840,000 annually, equivalent to N70,000 monthly.
The pact also reviewed Earned Academic Allowances, including payments for postgraduate supervision and other academic responsibilities, while providing for improved welfare and conditions of service.
However, implementation has remained a major source of disagreement between ASUU and the government.
The union had in May raised concerns that some universities were only partially implementing the salary component of the agreement, while others had allegedly not commenced implementation.
ASUU also expressed concern over delays in constituting the Implementation Monitoring Committee, which it said was critical to ensuring compliance and preventing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
The latest ultimatum has therefore raised fresh concerns over the possibility of another disruption in Nigeria’s university system if the outstanding issues are not resolved within the stipulated period.
Meanwhile, ASUU’s NEC also considered issues relating to academic promotions and appointments in some universities.
At the Federal University Lokoja, the union commended the withdrawal of two professorial appointments following opposition and investigation by the university’s ASUU branch.
At the Federal University Wukari, however, NEC expressed concern over the promotion of a former registrar to the professorial cadre.
The union subsequently directed its branches to resist the promotion of bursars and registrars who do not meet the professorial promotion criteria applicable to their universities.
ASUU also raised concerns over worsening insecurity on university campuses, particularly attacks that have resulted in the deaths of members.
The Union accordingly directed affected branches to petition the police and other relevant security agencies and compile cases of insecurity for submission to the national leadership.
