The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised alarm over what it calls the federal government's inconsistent and slow approach to ongoing negotiations with university lecturers. The union warned that if the situation is not urgently addressed, it could have "grievous consequences" for the nation’s education system.
In a statement released after a meeting held on November 8-9, 2025, at Taraba State University, Jalingo, ASUU expressed disappointment with the lack of significant progress since the suspension of its warning strike in October. While the union had initially paused the strike as a gesture of goodwill, hoping that the government would use the one-month window to resolve key issues, ASUU leaders now say the government's commitment to the renegotiation process has been underwhelming.
"We suspended the strike in good faith, believing that the government would use the opportunity to conclude the renegotiation process," said ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna. However, he lamented that the government had failed to act decisively on critical issues, particularly the long-standing demands for improved salaries and working conditions for university lecturers.
ASUU reiterated that despite the modest progress made in non-financial aspects of the talks, the lack of substantial movement on salary adjustments and workplace conditions remains a major concern. The union rejected the proposed salary increment from the government, calling it a "drop in the ocean" that would do little to address the brain drain or the ongoing decline in the quality of education in Nigerian universities.
The union also criticized what it called misrepresentation by government officials regarding the status of the negotiations, particularly in relation to the partial payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2017 and the release of third-party deductions. ASUU warned that such piecemeal gestures should not be touted as major successes, urging the government to prioritize meaningful solutions over superficial public relations efforts.
In its statement, ASUU also lamented the political and economic neglect of the education sector, noting that despite increased government revenues, Nigerian universities continue to suffer from poor infrastructure and stagnant salaries for academics. The union pointed to data from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), which showed a 62% increase in state government revenues and a 70% rise in federal allocations between 2022 and 2024, yet education funding remains inadequate.
"Contrary to claims of insufficient funds, the real issue is political: the government's lack of will to prioritize education," ASUU emphasized, underscoring that investing in education is the only sustainable way to secure the nation’s future.
ASUU's NEC concluded by calling on traditional rulers, labor unions, students, civil society groups, and other Nigerians to continue pushing the government to take responsible action in addressing the pressing concerns of university lecturers. The union reaffirmed its position that a living wage for academics is essential for the growth and development of the country's education system.
As the renegotiation process drags on, ASUU's leaders have warned that any further delay in resolving the key issues could worsen the already fragile state of Nigerian universities and set back the country’s educational standards for years to come.