ASUU Grows Restless: Lecturers Demand Action Amid Years of Unfulfilled Promises

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, expressing growing frustration over what it describes as a deliberate stalling of negotiations and unmet commitments dating back over a decade. The union says its patience is wearing thin as the government continues to renege on the promises made in the 2009 agreement.

Speaking during an interview in Jos, ASUU’s National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, lamented the government’s persistent failure to act decisively. “We are tired of words and promises,” he stated bluntly, reflecting the sentiments of university lecturers nationwide.

Professor Piwuna revealed that renegotiations of the long-standing 2009 agreement have been ongoing for seven years without tangible progress. Despite numerous meetings and deliberations, the government has consistently failed to implement agreed terms, frustrating the academic community.

“Our efforts are being deliberately frustrated,” Piwuna emphasized. “We started this renegotiation process seven years ago, and nothing meaningful has come out of it. At this point, it’s either we reach a final agreement or admit failure. Our members are no longer swayed by verbal assurances. Only concrete actions will suffice.”

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The union has long been advocating for improved working conditions, institutional autonomy, academic freedom, reliable funding, and the disbursement of earned academic allowances. However, these core demands have remained largely unaddressed, further deepening the crisis in Nigeria’s public university system.

Piwuna also pointed to the rapidly declining standards within public tertiary institutions, attributing the decay to underfunding and neglect. He noted that dilapidated infrastructure, poorly motivated staff, the rise of cultism, and the declining quality of education are symptoms of systemic failure—failures that can be reversed with strong political will and increased investment.

“We know the causes of this decay. They are not mysterious, nor are they insurmountable,” he said. “Proper funding and fair remuneration are key to restoring academic excellence. If the government is serious about reviving our universities, it must prioritize the welfare of its academic workforce.”

In addition to improving lecturers’ conditions, Piwuna stressed the importance of inclusive reforms across all university sectors. He urged the government to involve non-academic staff in salary reviews, arguing that such an approach would foster institutional harmony and promote a cohesive university environment.

“Non-teaching staff should not be left out of this process,” he advised. “Excluding them from salary discussions breeds resentment and undermines the unity of our educational institutions.”

The ASUU president warned that unless immediate steps are taken to implement the long-delayed reforms, the government should be prepared for the consequences. He made it clear that the union would not be blamed for any future disruptions that might arise from continued inaction.

“In the coming days and weeks, if the government continues to neglect its responsibilities, it must be ready to face the fallout. We will not accept responsibility for any resulting crisis,” Piwuna cautioned, signaling the possibility of renewed industrial action.

ASUU has historically resorted to strikes to press its demands, often causing significant disruptions to academic calendars. With the current impasse lingering, students, parents, and other stakeholders are now bracing for the potential return of another round of nationwide strikes, an outcome the union says could still be avoided if the government takes decisive action.

For now, the ball remains in the Federal Government’s court. Whether it will finally fulfill its commitments or allow tensions to escalate further remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the lecturers have reached their limit.