The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned that Nigerian public universities may face another round of industrial action if the Federal Government and state governments fail to fully implement the 2025 agreement reached with the union.
The warning followed the union’s National Executive Council meeting held at Modibbo Adama University between May 9 and 10, 2026.
In a statement released on Monday by ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, the union expressed frustration over what it described as the “distorted and uncoordinated” implementation of the agreement signed with the Federal Government in December 2025.
According to ASUU, the excitement that followed the public presentation of the agreement in January 2026 is gradually fading due to the government’s failure to fulfill its promises.
The union noted that it had remained silent for months after the agreement was signed, hoping that authorities would begin full implementation. However, after reviewing the situation during its NEC meeting, ASUU said many key issues remain unresolved.
One of the major concerns raised by the union is the failure to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee, which was expected to supervise the proper execution of the agreement nationwide.
ASUU also accused federal university administrators of selectively implementing parts of the agreement, especially allowances such as Consolidated Academic Allowances, Earned Academic Allowances, and Professorial Allowances. According to the union, these payments were supposed to be fully integrated into the Consolidated Academic Salary Structure.
The union further criticized several state governments for allegedly refusing to comply with the agreement despite participating in negotiations.
ASUU reaffirmed its determination to ensure that lecturers enjoy the full benefits of the eight-year negotiation process that lasted from 2017 to 2025.
The union also faulted the Federal Government’s proposed National Research Council and the Minister of Education’s National Research and Innovation Development Fund initiative. ASUU argued that the proposal contradicts the 2025 agreement, which recommended that at least one percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product be allocated to research, innovation, and development.
The lecturers’ union questioned the proposed $500 million funding structure and raised concerns over possible external borrowing to finance the project.
On welfare matters, ASUU listed several unresolved issues affecting lecturers, including unpaid salary arrears, promotion arrears, unremitted deductions, salary shortfalls under the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, and withheld salaries from the 2022 strike period.
The union also lamented delays in pension payments for retired lecturers, especially in state-owned universities, while accusing the National Pension Commission of slowing down pension benefit harmonization.
Recall that in March 2026, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, had assured Nigerians that the era of strikes in tertiary institutions was over, promising uninterrupted academic sessions across universities and polytechnics.
However, ASUU’s latest warning signals growing tension within the nation’s university system, raising fears of another disruption in academic activities if urgent action is not taken.