The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that inadequate implementation of its 2025 agreement with the Federal Government could lead to renewed unrest in Nigeria’s public university system.
ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, issued the warning on Monday during a press briefing after the union’s National Executive Council meeting held in Yola.
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Piwuna said the Federal Government’s delay in setting up the Implementation Monitoring Committee was already affecting the smooth enforcement of the agreement and creating confusion in the process.
According to him, the absence of the committee has resulted in inconsistent and uncoordinated implementation of the agreement across institutions.
He cautioned that the gains achieved during negotiations could be reversed if the government failed to fully execute the terms agreed upon.
The ASUU president alleged that some government agencies and university managements were selectively implementing aspects of the agreement, particularly those relating to the payment of lecturers’ allowances.
He also accused certain vice-chancellors of refusing to completely implement approved welfare packages for academic staff members.
Piwuna further noted that several state governments involved in the negotiation process had yet to implement the salary component of the agreement for lecturers in state-owned universities.
He listed unresolved issues affecting university lecturers to include withheld salaries, unpaid promotion arrears, salary deficits and outstanding third-party deductions.
According to him, the continued delay in resolving these matters is increasing frustration among academics in public tertiary institutions.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to step in and ensure that all pending welfare concerns are addressed in order to maintain industrial peace within the university sector.
Piwuna also criticised the proposed National Research and Innovation Development Fund introduced by the Federal Government, arguing that it does not meet the provisions outlined in the agreement.
He explained that ASUU had recommended that at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product be dedicated to research funding.
The union leader equally rejected plans by the Federal Government to establish a campus of Coventry University in Nigeria under the Transnational Education framework.
He described the initiative as neo-colonial and warned that it could weaken Nigeria’s higher education system and undermine local universities.
Piwuna also opposed moves to discontinue certain university courses considered irrelevant, insisting that every academic discipline plays a role in national growth and development.
He disclosed that ASUU would hold an emergency NEC meeting in the coming weeks to review the situation and decide on its next course of action.
NAN
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