The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged stakeholders — including the National Assembly, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and students — to prevail on the Federal Government to avert another nationwide strike.
The call came as lecturers staged protests across the country, accusing the government of neglect, unpaid entitlements, and failed promises. The union also dismissed government’s loan proposal for its members as a “Greek gift,” insisting that proper funding and payment of arrears were the real solutions.
In Lagos, UNILAG branch chairman, Prof. Idou Keinde, led members on a campus protest, rejecting the loan scheme. At UNIUYO, protesters shut down Computer-Based Tests (CBT), sending students home. Similarly, ASUU branches in Jos, Umudike, Abuja, Ebonyi, Ibadan, Ilorin, Maiduguri, and Akure took to the streets, warning that patience had reached breaking point.
The lecturers listed their demands, including: renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, release of N150 billion revalidation fund captured in the 2025 budget, payment of over three months’ salary arrears, outstanding 25–35% wage awards, and five years of promotion arrears.
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UI chairman Dr. Adefemi Afolabi, alongside NLC leaders, warned that if President Bola Tinubu fails to sign the renegotiated agreement by August 28, the union would embark on a total strike.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education expressed optimism that the crisis would be resolved. Its spokesperson, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, said Minister Tunji Alausa would meet ASUU leaders on Thursday, assuring that “nothing will be allowed to get out of hand.”
But ASUU leaders nationwide cautioned that trust in government was fading fast. “This is not just a labour issue, it is a national disgrace,” said UNIMAID chairman Dr. Abubakar Mshelia.
