In a renewed wave of tension across Nigerian universities, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again raised alarm over the Federal Government’s continued neglect of key agreements and unmet financial obligations. The union, through its University of Jos chapter, has begun sensitizing student leaders nationwide, shedding light on the pressing issues fueling its planned industrial action — one that could once again halt academic activities in public universities across the country.
ASUU Holds Crucial Dialogue with Student Leaders at the University of Jos
At a significant meeting organized by ASUU’s Students Relations Committee in the University of Jos, the union’s leadership met directly with student representatives to explain its reasons for the proposed nationwide strike. The gathering was attended by various student union leaders, departmental heads, and members of the university’s academic staff, marking a rare interface between lecturers and students ahead of potential industrial action.
Chairperson of the ASUU University of Jos chapter, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, who presided over the session, stated that the union is deeply concerned about the deteriorating condition of tertiary education in Nigeria. According to him, the meeting was aimed at enlightening students and clarifying misconceptions about ASUU’s grievances, so that the public would understand the genuine motivations behind their actions.
“We want students and the Nigerian public to know that this is not a strike born out of selfishness or political interest,” Prof. Molwus explained. “It is a patriotic struggle to save what is left of Nigeria’s university system from total collapse.”
14-Day Ultimatum to Federal Government
The meeting comes on the heels of a 14-day ultimatum issued by ASUU to the Federal Government. The ultimatum, which expires on October 13, demands immediate action on several unresolved issues or risk the commencement of a two-week warning strike by the union.
According to ASUU, the ultimatum serves as a final call for government intervention, after repeated appeals and correspondences have failed to yield tangible results. Members have vowed that failure by the authorities to respond will leave the union with no choice but to embark on industrial action — a move that would once again disrupt academic calendars and jeopardize ongoing academic activities across federal and state universities.
ASUU’s Core Demands: A Familiar Yet Unresolved List
During the interactive session, ASUU leaders highlighted the core issues at the heart of their agitation — issues that, according to them, have lingered for years despite numerous agreements and promises from the Federal Government. Among these demands include:
| Key ASUU Demands | Description of Issue |
|---|---|
| Revitalisation Fund | Immediate release of funds earmarked for the revitalisation of public universities as earlier provided in the national budget. |
| 2009 ASUU–FG Agreement | Full implementation of the 2009 agreement and subsequent renegotiations aimed at improving staff welfare and university autonomy. |
| Payment of Promotion Arrears and Allowances | Settlement of long-overdue promotion arrears and responsibility allowances withheld due to issues with the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). |
| Reinstatement of Victimised Members | Reinstatement of ASUU members who were reportedly victimised or unfairly dismissed in certain universities. |
| Payment of Withheld Salaries and Wage Awards | Settlement of three months’ withheld salaries and the 23%/35% wage awards approved by the Federal Government but yet to be implemented. |
These issues, ASUU insists, are not only central to the welfare of lecturers but also critical to ensuring that Nigeria’s public universities remain competitive, functional, and globally relevant.
Student Leaders React: Call for Dialogue Over Strike
Student leaders who attended the meeting commended ASUU for opening direct lines of communication with the student body. The President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) at the University of Jos, Miss Jane Pwajok, described the engagement as enlightening, noting that it allowed students to fully grasp the reasons behind ASUU’s position.
While expressing solidarity with the union’s call for better funding of education, she also appealed to the lecturers to explore alternative means of advocacy that do not involve industrial action, citing the severe consequences that strikes have on students’ academic progress.
“We appreciate ASUU for carrying us along in this process. Many students now understand the root of the problem. However, we urge the union to continue exploring dialogue and other peaceful measures, as another strike could be devastating for students who are still recovering from previous disruptions,” she said.
ASUU’s Message to Students and the Public
Prof. Molwus and other ASUU leaders stressed that their struggle is ultimately aimed at ensuring a better learning environment for Nigerian students. They expressed frustration that successive governments have continued to ignore the union’s warnings about the poor state of infrastructure, inadequate funding, and the brain drain affecting universities.
ASUU further argued that the government’s refusal to fulfill agreements, coupled with inconsistent payment systems and withheld salaries, has left many lecturers demoralized and underpaid. The union maintained that addressing these challenges is essential for stabilizing Nigeria’s education system and ensuring that university degrees retain their value globally.
“We are not fighting for ourselves alone,” ASUU said in its communiqué. “We are fighting for the soul of public education in Nigeria — for the next generation of students who deserve a functional, well-equipped, and globally competitive university system.”
Background: A Cycle of Strikes and Unmet Promises
The tension between ASUU and the Federal Government is not new. Over the years, the union has embarked on multiple strikes, some lasting several months, to press home similar demands. Despite countless meetings, memoranda, and promises of reform, many of these issues remain unresolved, leaving the education sector trapped in a cycle of strikes and temporary truces.
Observers note that while the government often cites limited resources and competing national priorities, ASUU continues to insist that investing in education is not a privilege but a necessity for national development.
Implications if Strike Proceeds
If ASUU proceeds with its planned strike after the expiration of the ultimatum, the immediate impact will be felt across campuses nationwide. Academic calendars will be suspended, examinations postponed, and research activities halted — creating another wave of uncertainty for students and parents alike.
Education analysts warn that another prolonged strike could worsen the academic backlog in Nigerian universities, discourage international collaborations, and fuel the ongoing exodus of students seeking stable education abroad.
Conclusion: A Familiar Battle with New Urgency
As the October 13 deadline approaches, all eyes are now on the Federal Government’s next move. ASUU’s renewed mobilization and direct engagement with students indicate that the union is determined to press its case more strategically this time.
However, Nigerians are hoping that dialogue will prevail over confrontation — that both parties will act in the nation’s best interest to prevent yet another disruption in the academic sector.
The coming days will determine whether the government takes decisive action or whether the country’s universities will once again be thrown into the dark cycle of strikes, missed lectures, and lost academic time — a reality that has become far too familiar to Nigerian students.
