The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nsukka Zone, has accused the Federal Government of neglecting Nigeria’s education sector by failing to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement, warning that the continued delay could spark another nationwide university crisis.
Speaking at a press conference at Benue State University, Makurdi, the Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Christian Opata, said the government’s slow response and lack of sincerity in addressing key issues are jeopardizing the nation’s educational future and eroding trust among academics.
“The Federal Government is undermining the nation’s future through lip service to education, especially tertiary education. The slow pace and purposeful delays in concluding renegotiations pose serious risks for society,” Opata stated.
He criticized what he described as inconsistent statements from the Minister of Education regarding the status of the ASUU/FGN Agreement.
“At first, he said there was no agreement, then later admitted there was one, and afterward claimed all ASUU’s demands had been met. These conflicting remarks only deepen mistrust and make genuine dialogue difficult,” he added.
ASUU recalled that after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on October 21, 2025, it suspended its warning strike to allow room for further engagement with the government—despite receiving what it termed “grossly inadequate offers.”
Opata said the union gave the government a one-month grace period to conclude renegotiations as a show of goodwill and in appreciation of support from students, parents, the media, and labour unions such as the NLC.
“It is now the government’s responsibility to seize this opportunity and resolve all outstanding issues to prevent another shutdown of the university system,” he warned.
The union expressed disappointment that the government’s latest salary proposals were even lower than what ASUU rejected in 2022.
“The proposed salary increment is only a drop in the ocean. It cannot stop brain drain or improve lecturers’ welfare. Partial payments of arrears are obligations owed, not new concessions,” the statement said.
Contrary to claims of poor revenue, ASUU cited FAAC data showing that both federal and state allocations have risen sharply in recent years—federal revenue increased from ₦3.42 trillion in 2022 to ₦4.65 trillion in 2024, while state allocations grew from ₦3.92 trillion to ₦5.81 trillion within the same period.
“The problem is not a lack of funds but a lack of political will. The government must stop treating education as a business and start seeing it as a critical investment in national development,” ASUU stated.
The union appealed to traditional rulers, civil society groups, students, and the labour movement to pressure the government into addressing lecturers’ welfare and fulfilling its promises.
“Our take-home pay can no longer meet basic needs. A professor’s salary cannot even buy a return ticket from Lagos to Abuja. Senior lecturers struggle to fund their research. This is unacceptable,” Opata lament
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ASUU urged the government to act within the one-month window to restore trust and prevent a fresh strike.
The ASUU Nsukka Zone includes eight universities: Benue State University, Makurdi (BSU); Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM); Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT); Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUSHO); Kogi State University (KSU); Federal University Lokoja (FUL); Federal University Wukari (FUW); and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
