Act now to prevent strike – ASUU warns FG

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a warning to the Federal Government, urging immediate action to avert an impending strike across public universities.

In a statement signed by its National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, ASUU accused the government of pushing the union to the wall.

The statement referenced recent remarks by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who declared:

“Not again ever in this country will ASUU or tertiary institutions, trade unions, teachers, lecturers go on strike.”

Alausa based his claim on the government’s approach of “dialogue, maintaining a good relationship with union heads (leaders), and meeting the demands of the unions.”

While agreeing with the minister on the importance of dialogue, ASUU stressed that the government must go beyond rhetoric and take concrete action on unresolved issues.

The union lamented the dire conditions faced by lecturers, stating:

“Feelers across campuses indicate that lecturers in Nigerian public universities are, to put it mildly, not happy. They teach students on empty stomachs. They conduct research in libraries and laboratories bereft of essential electronic and physical journals, books, chemicals, and reagents. They engage with communities and agencies in rickety cars while encumbered by utility bills, children’s fees, house rents, family upkeep, and a legion of other unmet responsibilities. Yet, elite Nigerians are quick to blame the universities for ‘producing unemployable graduates’ and failure to initiate innovative research for addressing the country’s problems. Our members feel forgotten, shamed, and demoralised by past and present governments.”

ASUU reiterated its long-standing warnings to the Federal and State Governments about the consequences of having a disempowered academic workforce, citing the International Labour Organisation’s Convention No. 98 of 1949 and Convention No. 154 of 1981 on collective bargaining.

The union criticised the government’s failure to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, despite receiving a draft from the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed committee in December 2024. It accused successive administrations of disregarding key provisions relating to conditions of service, funding, university autonomy, and academic freedom.

ASUU also condemned political interference in the appointment of Vice Chancellors, warning that universities were being turned into commodities for politicians and contractors. It cited the attempt to reinstate the Acting Vice Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education despite controversies over her academic promotions.

“For the umpteenth time, ASUU invites all genuine patriots to prevail on Nigeria’s Federal and State Governments to address all lingering labour issues in the Nigerian University System to avert another looming industrial crisis. Nigerian academics are tired of governments’ excuses,” the statement concluded.