The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened fresh industrial action over the Federal Government’s alleged delay in fully implementing key provisions of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement.

The warning comes amid growing tension between the union and government over salary arrears, allowances, and funding concerns affecting public universities across Nigeria.

ASUU Raises Alarm Over Implementation

According to the union, several aspects of the agreement signed in December 2025 and unveiled in January 2026 have not been fully implemented.

These include salary adjustments, earned academic allowances, responsibility allowances, and improved funding for universities.

ASUU also faulted the non-inauguration of the full Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), which was meant to oversee compliance with the agreement.

Key Grievances

The union highlighted delays in payment of salary components in some institutions, with reports of outstanding arrears running into months in certain zones.

It also expressed concern over disparities in implementation between federal and state universities, describing the situation as inconsistent and unfair.

Zonal coordinators across regions including Abuja, Akure, Kano, Sokoto, Benin, Lagos, and Jos have reportedly voiced frustration over what they described as slow government response.

Government Response

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has reportedly dismissed some of ASUU’s claims, insisting that progress is being made and that efforts are ongoing to prevent another prolonged strike in the university system.

However, ASUU maintains that the situation on the ground does not reflect government assurances, insisting that commitments made in the agreement are yet to be fully honoured.

Students and Public Reaction

The development has triggered mixed reactions online, with many students expressing concern over possible disruptions to the academic calendar.

Some Nigerians have criticised both parties, citing the recurring nature of ASUU disputes and the long history of strikes affecting university education.

Possible Strike Looms

While no strike has been declared yet, ASUU warned that continued delays could force it into nationwide industrial action if urgent steps are not taken.

The situation adds to ongoing concerns about funding, welfare, and stability in Nigeria’s public university system.

ASUU Thr£atens To Embark On Fresh Strike Over Delays In Implementation Of The 2025 Agreement

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— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) May 26, 2026

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the Federal Government’s reported plan to phase out certain university courses considered “irrelevant” to current labour market demands.

The union described the proposed move as dangerous and a direct threat to academic freedom and university autonomy in Nigeria.

ASUU, in a statement issued by its Benin Zone, insisted that all academic programmes remain important to national development and warned against government interference in university curriculum decisions.

ASUU faults proposed course review

The controversy follows recent comments credited to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who reportedly said the government intended to align university programmes with modern economic realities and global trends.

Reports indicated that some humanities and social science-related courses were being considered for review or possible discontinuation over concerns about employability and labour market relevance.

Reacting to the development, ASUU maintained that universities should retain the exclusive right to determine their academic programmes through their governing structures and senates.

“Universities are not technical colleges. They are centres of knowledge creation and dissemination. Every discipline has its place in national development,” a source within the union stated.

Union warns against interference

ASUU also warned that any attempt by the Federal Government to dictate courses offered in universities could weaken the country’s higher education system.

The union vowed to resist what it described as efforts to commercialise and vocationalise university education at the expense of critical thinking and broader intellectual development.

The disagreement further adds to the strained relationship between ASUU and the Federal Government following unresolved issues surrounding previous agreements reached with the union.

Concerns over another crisis

Stakeholders within the education sector have continued to call for dialogue between both parties to avoid another industrial crisis in public universities.

As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Ministry of Education had not officially responded to ASUU’s latest position on the matter.