The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, affected state governments and authorities of 20 universities over what it described as the incomplete implementation of the 2025 agreement reached with the union.
ASUU warned that lecturers in the affected institutions could begin industrial action if the outstanding issues were not resolved before the deadline expires.
The latest threat has renewed concerns about another disruption to academic activities in Nigeria’s public universities, less than a year after the signing of the agreement, which was intended to end years of disputes over lecturers’ welfare, salaries, research funding and university financing.
The decision was reached at the union’s National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026.
ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, announced the resolution in a statement on Monday.
He said the union would convene another emergency NEC meeting towards the end of August or early September to assess the government’s response and determine its next course of action.
20 universities affected
The institutions listed by ASUU include:
Nasarawa State University, Keffi
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai
University of Medical Sciences, Ondo
Gombe State University
Plateau State University, Bokkos
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma
Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa
Abia State University, Uturu
University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa
The union said its branches in the affected universities had been directed to begin preparations for industrial action while awaiting government intervention.
ASUU accused the Federal Government of failing to provide the necessary funding for the full implementation of the 2025 agreement.
It described the implementation process as “haphazard” and criticised what it called the government’s slow release of the required subvention.
According to the union, the situation was undermining the progress achieved when the agreement was finally signed after more than 16 years of negotiations.
ASUU also faulted the authorities responsible for several state-owned universities, alleging that provisions of the agreement had not been fully implemented.
What the 2025 agreement provides
The FGN-ASUU agreement was signed in December 2025 following prolonged negotiations between the union and the government.
One of its major provisions was a 40 per cent increase in the remuneration of academic staff, effective January 1, 2026. The Federal Government announced in February that payment of the salary adjustment had begun.
The agreement also introduced the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), designed to support lecturers with expenses including academic publications, membership of professional and learned societies, conference attendance, internet access and books.
Under the agreement, professors are entitled to a Professorial Cadre Allowance of N1.74 million annually, equivalent to N145,000 per month.
Readers are to receive N840,000 annually, or N70,000 monthly.
The pact further provided for the review of Earned Academic Allowances, including payments linked to postgraduate supervision and other academic responsibilities.
Other areas covered by the agreement include staff welfare, research funding, infrastructure and institutional development.
However, ASUU said implementation has been uneven, with some universities allegedly receiving only parts of the benefits while others have yet to implement several provisions.
The union has also expressed concern over delays in establishing the Implementation Monitoring Committee, which it considers important for ensuring that the agreement is executed without bureaucratic delays.
Dispute over promotions
ASUU’s NEC also discussed academic appointments and promotions at some universities.
The union commended the withdrawal of two professorial appointments at the Federal University Lokoja after opposition from the institution’s ASUU branch and subsequent investigations.
At the Federal University Wukari, however, the union expressed concern about the promotion of a former registrar to the rank of professor.
ASUU subsequently directed its branches to challenge the promotion of bursars and registrars to professorial positions where the individuals do not meet the applicable promotion requirements.
Fresh concerns over campus security
Security on university campuses was another issue considered at the NEC meeting.
The union raised concerns over attacks that have resulted in the deaths of some academic staff and directed affected branches to formally petition the police and other security agencies.
Branches were also instructed to document security incidents and submit detailed reports to the national leadership of the union.
With the 14-day deadline now in effect, the Federal Government and the affected state governments face renewed pressure to settle the outstanding issues before the dispute develops into another nationwide crisis in Nigeria’s university system.
ASUU’s next emergency NEC meeting is expected to determine whether the government’s response is sufficient to prevent the threatened strike.
