ASUU warns Tinubu govt over delay in agreement renegotiation

ASUU warns Tinubu govt over delay in agreement renegotiation

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed deep concern over the delay by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in concluding the ongoing renegotiation of its agreement with the union, warning that the government’s inaction could have “grievous consequences” for Nigeria’s education sector.

In a statement issued after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Taraba State University from November 8 to 9, 2025, and signed by its president, Chris Piwuna, ASUU accused government officials of showing “a lack of commitment and sincerity” in the renegotiation process.

The union recalled that following its emergency session on October 21, 2025, it suspended a warning strike in good faith, despite what it described as “grossly insufficient offers” from the government.

According to the statement, ASUU had expected the government to utilise the one-month window after the suspension of the strike to conclude the talks meaningfully.

“ASUU NEC regretted that government functionaries are undermining the negotiation process through subtle misrepresentation of its offers and implementation of agreements. The part payment of promotion arrears dating as far back as 2017 and the release of third-party deductions, which form part of members’ unpaid benefits for years, are at best confidence-boosting gestures and must not be framed as substantive issues of the negotiation process,” the statement read.

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The union criticised the government’s approach, saying it appeared more concerned with “winning the narrative” than addressing the root problems confronting public universities.

ASUU urged the Tinubu administration to use the remaining days of the one-month negotiation window “judiciously” to achieve a holistic resolution of all pending issues, particularly those affecting the living and working conditions of lecturers.

The union also faulted what it described as the government’s commercial attitude towards education, insisting that education should be treated as a public good vital to national development.

“Education, as the bedrock of any society, deserves special attention—more so in Nigeria, given the deficit in our educational infrastructure. That the lot of academics and education has remained unchanged in recent years remains a wonder,” ASUU stated.

The union dismissed government claims of economic constraints, noting that both federal and state revenues had grown significantly. Citing FAAC data, ASUU said state revenues rose from ₦3.92 trillion in 2022 to ₦5.81 trillion in 2024, while federal revenues increased from ₦3.42 trillion to ₦4.65 trillion in the same period.

“It is the political will—or lack of it—and not economic factors that have been undermining the resolution of this renegotiation process,” the union maintained.

ASUU called on traditional rulers, labour unions, students, and civil society organisations to prevail on the government to “do the right thing” and ensure that Nigerian academics receive a living wage.

ASUU warns Tinubu govt over delay in agreement renegotiation