The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is threatening to launch a fresh nationwide strike, accusing the Nigerian government of a prolonged failure to meet its obligations under a 2009 agreement.
During a press conference at the University of Jos, ASUU President Christopher Piwuna said that years of unfulfilled promises and stalling tactics by the government have “destroyed trust.”
Piwuna detailed a list of unresolved issues, including the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, unpaid salaries, withheld promotions, and pension concerns for retired professors.
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He stated that despite repeated attempts to engage with the government through letters, their appeals have gone unanswered.
“It is the Federal Government that has consistently pushed our union to embark on a strike action”, Piwuna said, suggesting that a strike may be the only remaining option to get the government to act.
The union leader also voiced strong opposition to the government’s proposed loan scheme for tertiary institution staff, labelling it as a “trap.”
He emphasised that the union’s members need the government to fulfil its existing agreements to improve their financial well-being, not to be saddled with more debt.
In addition to the financial issues, ASUU criticised the rapid creation of new universities without a corresponding plan for sustainable funding, arguing that this has led to a decline in educational quality and global rankings.
Piwuna highlighted the plight of retired professors, noting that some who have dedicated decades to their work are now receiving monthly pensions as low as N150,000, which is insufficient to keep up with the rising cost of living.
ASUU stated it will await the outcome of an upcoming government meeting on August 28 before making a final decision on a strike.
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However, the union announced that its members would hold protest rallies on university campuses next week to express their frustration.
With time running out and trust at a low point, the union’s latest warning signals that another major disruption to the nation’s higher education system could be on the horizon.
