The fragile truce between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) appears to be unravelling. The union has issued a strong warning of a potential confrontation, accusing both federal and state authorities of a “flawed and partial” implementation of their December 2025 agreement.
The resolution followed ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held at Modibbo Adama University in Yola.
In a statement issued after the meeting, ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, expressed deep concern over what he described as the government’s reluctance to resolve several lingering disputes. These include the prolonged withholding of three and a half months of salaries, unpaid promotion arrears, salary shortfalls linked to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), unremitted third-party deductions, and outstanding arrears from the 25–35 per cent wage award.
Prof. Piwuna warned that the growing frustration among university lecturers—stemming from what he termed the government’s seeming indifference to their welfare—is fuelling pent-up anger that could erupt into a new wave of industrial unrest if left unaddressed.
“The union appeals to all genuine patriots, well-meaning Nigerians, and lovers of Nigeria to prevail on state and federal governments to fully implement the new agreement and resolve all outstanding issues in the interest of parents, students, and the nation at large,” Prof. Piwuna said.
He added, “Our union’s doors remain open for working with government to realise all our demands. At the same time, NEC has directed that an emergency meeting be convened in the next few weeks to review the situation and take appropriate action as may be necessary.”
The current tension was not unforeseen. In March 2025, reports had suggested that the relative peace in public universities could be short-lived unless a renegotiated agreement with the government was fully implemented.
That landmark accord, which stakeholders had hoped would end the 16-year deadlock over the original 2009 agreement, was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. Key provisions included a 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers, improved pension benefits, and overhauled, duty-based Earned Academic Allowances aimed at fostering stability and reducing strike actions.
However, five months after the implementation date, full compliance remains elusive. While some universities have reportedly implemented aspects of the agreement, the Federal Government has yet to follow suit, raising the spectre of renewed nationwide university closures.