The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to meet this weekend at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, amid growing concerns over unmet demands by the Nigerian government.
Sources within the union told SaharaReporters that the high-level meeting will focus on the government’s failure to honor prior agreements, as well as recent developments affecting staff welfare. A resolution on a possible nationwide strike could be reached following the meeting.
“There will be extensive deliberations, particularly on the government’s continued neglect of our demands,” one source said. “We may arrive at a formal position by the end of the meeting.”
The union is also expected to discuss the federal government’s recent approval of loan schemes for staff of tertiary institutions — a move that has drawn mixed reactions from ASUU members.
This meeting follows renewed warnings by ASUU of a potential strike, citing worsening conditions in Nigeria’s public universities and repeated breaches of agreements by the government. In a recent statement, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said the union has been “pushed to the wall,” highlighting the deteriorating work environment for lecturers.
“Lecturers teach on empty stomachs, conduct research in poorly equipped laboratories, and struggle to fulfill both academic and personal responsibilities,” the statement read. “Yet they are blamed for the system’s failures.”
ASUU emphasized its long-standing call for respect for collective bargaining, referencing International Labour Organisation conventions. The union said most disputes since 2012 stem from the federal government’s failure to fully implement the 2009 Agreement — covering conditions of service, university funding, autonomy, and legal reforms.
According to ASUU, both state and federal governments have consistently failed to engage sincerely, often selectively implementing parts of the agreement. The union also criticised recent initiatives aimed at attracting diaspora academics, calling them “hypocritical” without genuine reform.
“Aside from misleading programs like the ‘Diaspora Bridge,’ the government has often responded to strike threats by withholding salaries instead of addressing the root causes,” the statement added.
ASUU concluded by urging patriotic Nigerians to pressure the government into resolving the lingering issues to prevent another round of industrial action.
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