By Salihu Mohammed
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has warned of a fresh nationwide strike, accusing the Federal Government of reneging on long-standing commitments to revitalise and properly fund public universities.
Speaking at a press conference in the University of Jos on Thursday, ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, said lecturers have endured over two years of broken promises and government delay tactics.
Piwuna listed unresolved issues including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, outstanding salary arrears, withheld promotions, and the welfare of retired lecturers.
“The public should note that ASUU has written several letters to the government urging amicable resolution. Sadly, the FGN has consistently turned a deaf ear to our pleas,” he said.
He added that the government’s attitude has left the union with no choice but to consider industrial action.
“It is always the FGN that pushes our union to strike. We may have no other option but to act to compel the government to do the needful,” Piwuna declared.
The ASUU leader also rejected the proposed Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund loan scheme, describing it as a trap.
“Our members don’t need loans; what we need is the implementation of agreements that will improve our purchasing power.
“The government still owes us three months’ salaries, yet it is asking us to borrow,” he said.
ASUU further criticised the proliferation of universities without sustainable funding, warning that the practice undermines academic standards and global rankings.
On pensions, the union lamented that some professors who served for over 40 years now receive as little as ₦150,000 monthly, despite rising inflation and living costs.
Piwuna disclosed that ASUU will await the outcome of a government meeting scheduled for August 28 before deciding its next line of action.
Meanwhile, members are set to stage rallies across campuses next week to register their frustrations.
“Time is running out. We cannot continue to wait endlessly while the future of Nigerian universities is destroyed,” he warned.
With this latest ultimatum, concerns are mounting that another ASUU strike may be imminent, threatening further disruption to Nigeria’s already fragile education system.
