FG Compelling Us to Shut Down Universities

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nsukka Zone, has accused the Federal Government of pushing Nigerian universities toward another shutdown by allegedly failing to fully implement the 2025 ASUU/FGN Agreement.

ASUU made the allegation on Thursday during a press conference held at Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, warning that continued neglect of the agreement could trigger a fresh nationwide industrial crisis in the university system.

The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Nsukka Zone, Christian Opata, said the Federal Government’s handling of the agreement shows a repeat of past patterns that previously led to prolonged strikes in public universities.

According to him, although the 2025 agreement was signed on January 14, 2026, its implementation has been “partial, distorted and largely abandoned,” creating growing frustration among lecturers.

He said the government has failed to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), which was meant to ensure proper execution of the agreement and prevent delays caused by bureaucracy.

ASUU also accused the government of sidelining the union in the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), announced by the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, following a Federal Executive Council meeting on April 7, 2026.

The union argued that the move violated agreed terms and insisted that ASUU, as a key stakeholder, was excluded from discussions on a matter directly affecting the education sector.

It also criticised the proposed funding structure for the research initiative, saying it contradicts the agreement that at least one per cent of Nigeria’s GDP should be allocated to research and innovation. ASUU questioned the $500 million benchmark reportedly mentioned for the fund, describing it as inconsistent with earlier commitments.

The union further lamented the non-integration of several allowances into the Consolidated University Salary Structure, including tools allowance, earned academic allowance, and professorial allowance, blaming delays on inadequate government funding.

ASUU also raised concerns over unpaid arrears, salary shortfalls, pension remittances, and withheld salaries linked to the 2022 strike action, stating that many lecturers are still awaiting payments.

Beyond funding issues, the union accused some university authorities and governing councils of interference in academic administration, citing alleged disputes over appointments in certain institutions.

It also expressed concern about declining academic standards and reported cases of questionable professorial appointments in some universities, including ongoing investigations at the Federal University Lokoja.

ASUU warned that it may be forced into further action if the Federal Government fails to fully implement the agreement, adding that an emergency meeting is scheduled for June to decide its next steps.

The Nsukka Zone comprises institutions including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Kogi State University, Federal University Lokoja, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Federal University Wukari, and Benue State University.