The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ibadan Zone, on Thursday accused the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of failing to demonstrate sufficient commitment towards resolving the lingering crisis in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, warning that continued delay in implementing the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement could trigger fresh industrial unrest across universities.
The union also criticised both the Federal and State Governments over what it described as the slow, distorted and partial implementation of the agreement signed with ASUU in December 2025 after nearly eight years of negotiations.
ASUU raised the concerns during a press conference held at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
The Zonal Coordinator, Prof. ‘Biodun Olaniran, addressed journalists in company of other leaders of the zone, including Prof. Adefemi Afolabi (UI ASUU), Shehu Abdulganiyu Salam (Kwara State University), Prof. Olujimi Dada (Chairperson, LAUTECH), Prof. Ademola Aremun (UI), Prof. Oyebamiji Oyegoke (Past Zonal Coordinator), Bamidele Ojo (Chairperson, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education), Jamiu Odusote (Vice Chairman, University of Ilorin), and Wende Olaosebikan (Chairperson, Osun State University), among others.
The Ibadan Zone comprises the University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Osun State University, Kwara State University and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo.
According to the union, the meeting was convened to assess the level of implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement and review other unresolved issues affecting the nation’s university system.
ASUU expressed disappointment that five months after the agreement was signed, many of its provisions remain either partially implemented or completely ignored by both federal and state governments.
“It is becoming clear that the Tinubu-led administration is not showing enough sincerity in addressing the crisis in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector,” the union stated.
The union warned that failure to fully implement the agreement amounts to “an invitation to industrial unrest” capable of destabilising peace and academic stability in public universities.
ASUU noted that although the government had implemented some financial components of the agreement, including Consolidated Academic Tool Allowances (CATA) and Professorial Allowances (PA), other critical aspects such as Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) remain unattended to.
It further alleged that several components of the agreement have remained unpaid for up to four months in many universities.
The union also faulted the Federal Government for allegedly failing to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), which it said was designed to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure seamless execution of the agreement.
ASUU accused the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, of turning the agreement into “a political campaign” rather than focusing on genuine implementation capable of addressing longstanding challenges in the education sector.
On welfare issues, the union lamented unresolved matters including unremitted third-party deductions, promotion arrears, withheld salaries from previous industrial actions, and unpaid 25/35 per cent wage awards.
It described the withholding of deductions such as pensions, cooperative contributions and union check-off dues as illegal and unjust, insisting that lecturers should not be punished for industrial disputes allegedly caused by government neglect.
ASUU also criticised delays in the payment and harmonisation of pension benefits for retired professors, particularly in state-owned universities, warning that many retirees were being subjected to hardship and indignity after meritorious service.
The union appealed to President Tinubu, the National Assembly, judiciary, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to urgently intervene and prevent what it described as a looming crisis in the university system.
Members nationwide, according to the union, are becoming increasingly restless over the government’s perceived lack of commitment to their welfare.
On policy matters, ASUU rejected recent education policy pronouncements by the Federal Government, including the reversal of mother-tongue instruction in early childhood education and the proposed Transnational Education framework expected to pave the way for foreign university campuses in Nigeria.
The union described the policies as retrogressive and capable of undermining local education development.
ASUU also opposed the proposed Nigeria Education Repository Databank (NERD), arguing that the policy raises concerns over intellectual property rights and protection of academic materials under the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
The union further criticised moves to scrap some academic courses considered “irrelevant” by government officials, insisting that such decisions were misguided and detrimental to national development.
ASUU also decried what it described as increasing political interference in university administration, particularly in the appointment of vice chancellors and other principal officers, as well as restrictions on staff recruitment despite claims of university autonomy.
The union equally opposed the alleged attempt by the Niger State Government to reclaim the Bosso Campus of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, warning that such action could create a dangerous precedent capable of undermining collaboration between federal and state governments in higher education development.
On the state of the nation, ASUU lamented worsening economic hardship, escalating insecurity and rising public debt, warning that the country risks deeper instability if urgent corrective measures are not taken.
The union cited the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as evidence of the deteriorating security situation in the country.
ASUU also criticised the removal of fuel subsidy without adequate palliatives, saying the policy has worsened poverty and increased the cost of living for Nigerians.
The union further condemned the high cost of elections in the country, arguing that political activities were increasingly overshadowing governance and development priorities.
ASUU warned that continued neglect of the 2025 Agreement and unresolved welfare issues could provoke another round of industrial action, while reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and the survival of Nigeria’s university system.
