The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised fresh concerns over the Federal Government’s handling of the 2025 agreement signed with the union, warning that continued delays and poor implementation could push public universities into another round of industrial crisis.
Speaking during a press briefing in Jos on Monday, the chairman of ASUU, University of Jos branch, Prof. Jurbe Joseph Molwus, accused the government of failing to fulfil key parts of the agreement reached with lecturers in December 2025.
The briefing came after the union’s congress meeting and recent deliberations by ASUU’s National Executive Council held at Modibbo Adama University in Yola.
According to Molwus, the excitement and hope that followed the unveiling of the agreement on January 14, 2026, have gradually faded due to what he described as the government’s lack of seriousness in implementing the deal.
One of the major concerns raised by the union was the failure to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee meant to oversee the agreement.
Molwus also complained about inconsistencies in how universities across the country are implementing approved allowances for lecturers.
He explained that while some universities have started paying certain allowances, others have not made any payments at all.
The affected allowances include the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance, Earned Academic Allowance, Professorial Allowance and Responsibility Allowance.
“While some universities have implemented two or three of these allowances, others have not even commenced implementation,” he said.
ASUU blamed the situation on poor funding by both federal and state governments, stressing that state governments cannot deny involvement since they participated in the negotiation process.
Despite the criticism, the union commended Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchi State and Ekiti State University for taking steps to implement parts of the agreement.
The union also expressed concern over unresolved welfare issues affecting lecturers nationwide.
These include unpaid arrears from the 25/35 percent wage award, promotion arrears, salary shortfalls linked to the IPPIS payment platform, unremitted deductions and the controversial three-and-a-half months salaries withheld during the 2022 ASUU strike.
Molwus insisted the withheld salaries should be paid since lecturers had already covered the academic work lost during the strike period and students had completed their programmes.
ASUU also criticised the Federal Government’s decision to establish the National Research and Innovation Development Fund without fully aligning it with the terms already agreed upon in the 2025 pact.
The union questioned why the fund was denominated in foreign currency, warning that such a move could increase Nigeria’s dependence on foreign borrowing institutions.
Beyond welfare issues, ASUU raised concerns about recent policy decisions affecting education in Nigeria.
The union described the reported reversal of the mother-tongue education policy for early childhood learning as backward and criticised plans to establish a Nigerian campus of Coventry University, calling it a “neo-colonial initiative.”
ASUU also opposed suggestions that some social science and humanities courses should be scrapped, insisting every academic discipline remains important for national development.
Molwus linked the crisis in the education sector to broader national challenges, including insecurity, economic hardship and rising political tension ahead of the 2027 elections.
He claimed insecurity has severely affected farming activities and small businesses across the country, worsening poverty levels among Nigerians.
The union urged the Federal Government, state governments and other stakeholders to urgently address all outstanding issues before frustrations among lecturers escalate further.
According to ASUU, failure to act quickly could trigger another industrial action capable of disrupting the academic calendar in public universities once again.
“The seeming insensitivity to the welfare of our members is brewing pent-up anger that may result in another round of industrial unrest if not urgently addressed,” Molwus warned.
Source: ASUU briefing in Jos
