The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the federal government to honour the terms of the 2009 agreement it signed with the union, warning that failure to do so may result in a nationwide strike.
According to a report by NAN, ASUU President Chris Piwuna made the call during a press briefing held in Abuja on Friday.
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Piwuna expressed the union’s deep dissatisfaction with the government’s prolonged inaction on nine pressing matters that continue to hinder progress in Nigeria’s public university system.
Among the major concerns raised was the abandonment of the renegotiation process of the 2009 agreement, which has been inactive since 2017.
He also pointed to the federal government’s refusal to pay salaries withheld during the 2022 strike and the backlog of entitlements stalled by the controversial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
In addition, the ASUU president criticised the government for failing to release promised revitalisation funds and earned academic allowances.
Despite prior commitments to inject N150 billion into higher institutions and adjust irregular allowances by 2026, Piwuna said these promises have not been fulfilled.
He further claimed that ASUU members working in some state universities—specifically Kogi State University and Lagos State University—are being sidelined.
According to him, these members face unfair treatment, including job insecurity, salary withholdings, and various forms of victimisation, all of which have significantly demoralised academic staff.
Piwuna lamented that Nigerian universities are increasingly being drawn into power struggles and economic disputes.
He accused political actors of meddling in the selection process of university leadership in institutions like Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the University of Abuja.
The union president called for a national transformation driven by educational reform. He advocated for a national summit to address key issues such as sustainable funding, institutional autonomy, and the welfare of academic staff.
“Education empowers citizens, drives innovation, and instils values. Without it, development is impossible,” Piwuna said.
“Our universities should be centres for solutions to national challenges.“We are open to dialogue but will not tolerate further erosion of our rights.”
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