The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos branch, has warned of a looming industrial crisis in Nigeria’s public universities over what it described as the Federal Government’s slow and inconsistent implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement.
Speaking at a press conference held at the union’s secretariat in the University of Jos on Monday, the branch leadership said growing frustration among academics could collapse the fragile peace currently holding the university system.
The union said its National Executive Council (NEC), which met at Modibbo Adama University on May 9 and 10, 2026, reviewed the implementation of the agreement signed on December 23, 2025, and expressed dissatisfaction with the level of compliance.
According to ASUU, the Federal Government has failed to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), which was designed to oversee the execution of the agreement and prevent bureaucratic delays.
The union said the absence of the committee has led to what it called “selective and distorted implementation” of key financial components, including the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CATA), Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), Professorial Allowance and responsibility allowances.
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While commending Sa’adu Zungur University and Ekiti State University for partial implementation of the agreement, ASUU urged other institutions and authorities to act urgently to avoid disruption of academic activities nationwide.
The union also criticised the Federal Government’s establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), introduced by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, without consultation with the union.
It questioned the proposed dollar-denominated funding structure, warning that it could expose Nigeria’s education sector to external control mechanisms, and insisted that research funding provisions already contained in the 2025 agreement must be fully implemented.
ASUU further listed several unresolved welfare issues affecting lecturers, including arrears of wage awards, promotion arrears, withheld salaries from the 2022 strike period, salary shortfalls linked to the IPPIS system, and unremitted third-party deductions.
The union maintained that the “no work, no pay” policy was unjustified, arguing that academic work continued during strike periods through research and community service.
It also raised concerns over pension arrears and delays in pension harmonisation for retired academics, particularly in state universities, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene.
ASUU further criticised recent policy decisions in the education sector, including changes to mother-tongue instruction policy, proposed transnational education arrangements with foreign universities, and plans to introduce academic titles such as “Professor of Practice” and “Diaspora Professor,” describing them as threats to university autonomy.
Beyond education issues, the union expressed concern over worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and rising political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It warned that failure to fully implement the agreement and settle outstanding entitlements could trigger fresh industrial action nationwide.
“Government insensitivity to these issues is brewing pent-up anger that may erupt if not properly managed,” the union warned.
The branch concluded by urging the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to urgently implement the 2025 agreement to preserve stability in Nigeria’s public university system.
