The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given its nod to members in 20 universities nationwide to go on strike over alleged failure of the Federal and state governments to implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement.
The Union gave its go ahead at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026, but directed the branch members to first issue a 14-day ultimatum before proceeding on strike to press home their demands.
A statement signed by ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, late Monday, announced that an emergency NEC meeting would be convened at the end of August or early September 2026 to take further decisions, ‘without prejudice to the decisions taken so far’.
The affected institutions are Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; Gombe State University; Plateau State University, Bokkos; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Abia State University, Uturu and University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa.
Others are Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo; Kaduna State University; Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil; Northwest University Kano; Enugu State University of Science and Technology; Imo State University; Niger Delta University; University of Africa, Toru-Orua; Bayelsa Medical University; and Taraba State University, Jalingo.
ASUU said the affected branches would embark on the strike after the expiration of the ultimatum, while noting that branches in the Sokoto Zone had already issued a two-week ultimatum.
The union said the decision was prompted by what it described as the “haphazard implementation” of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement and the “lackadaisical attitude” of the Federal Government towards releasing subvention needed to fully implement the agreement.
“NEC discussed the state of the struggle and noted that a significant milestone had been reached signing the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, but frowned at the haphazard implementation and lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government in the release of subvention to fully actualise the implementation of the said 2025 Agreement,” the statement reads.
It also expressed concern over the failure of visitors to several state-owned universities to implement the agreement, warning that the development was threatening the gains recorded following the signing of the agreement.
The union’s latest move suggests that the much-celebrated agreement, which was expected to bring a measure of stability to Nigeria’s troubled university system, is once again becoming a flashpoint between the lecturers and government.
The development raises the prospect of another major disruption in the university system if the outstanding issues are not resolved before the expiration of the two-week ultimatum.
(Ripples)