The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again raised alarm over the Federal Government’s handling of its long-standing demands, cautioning that a full nationwide strike may soon begin unless urgent steps are taken.

The warning came from the ASUU Ibadan Zone during a press briefing held at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, where union leaders described government actions as “discourteous, deceptive, and dangerously indifferent.”

Government Handling ‘Lackadaisical,’ Says ASUU

The Zonal Coordinator, Professor Biodun Olaniran, accused government officials of deliberately misleading Nigerians through half-truths and propaganda regarding negotiations surrounding the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement.

According to him, the renegotiation process overseen by the Yayale Ahmed Committee is expected to produce an updated and realistic salary structure to replace the current CONUASS, which has been rendered inadequate by inflation and economic instability.

But instead of urgency, Olaniran said, the government has shown “delay, insincerity, and lack of commitment.”

Only Eight Days Left — ASUU Says Time Is Running Out

ASUU reminded the public that the union had earlier given the Federal Government one month to conclude critical aspects of the negotiation, yet with only eight days left, nothing meaningful has been achieved.

The Ibadan Zone includes:

• University of Ibadan (UI)
  
• University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
  
• LAUTECH, Ogbomoso
  
• Osun State University (UNIOSUN)
  
• Kwara State University (KWASU)
  
• Emmanuel Alayande University of Education
  

Branch chairpersons from all these institutions attended the briefing, emphasizing unified support for the warning issued.

Salary Structure, Arrears, and Withheld Wages Still Unresolved

ASUU noted that its primary demand remains the full renegotiation and implementation of the 2009 Agreement, particularly the salary review.

Olaniran described the government’s counter-offers as “ridiculous, inappropriate, and completely unacceptable.”

He further highlighted several unresolved issues:

1. Withheld Salaries

Federal university lecturers are still owed three and a half months’ salaries from the 2022 strike.

2. Unpaid Earned Academic Allowances (EAA)

Many state universities have refused to pay accumulated EAAs and outstanding promotion arrears.

3. Specific Cases

• UNIOSUN: Withheld 2018 and 2020 salaries + unpaid 2015–2019 EAA.
  
• LAUTECH & KWASU: Similar unfulfilled obligations to staff.
  

ASUU described these actions as “anti-labour, anti-progress, and inhumane,” insisting on immediate payment.

If the government fails to act within the remaining days, ASUU warned that public universities may be shut down once again  a development that could delay academic calendars and affect millions of students.

Olaniran emphasized that Nigeria has the resources to fund its universities but lacks the political will.

According to him:

• Nigerian lecturers earn far less than their peers in smaller West African nations.
  
• Nigerian politicians remain among the highest paid in the world.
  

ASUU Calls on Nigerians to Intervene

The Ibadan Zone urged:

• Students
  
• Parents
  
• Labour unions
  
• Civil society groups
  
• Traditional rulers
  

to pressure the Federal Government into resolving the impasse before another nationwide strike becomes inevitable.