The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Northwest Zone, has called on the Federal Government to fully implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement, warning that continued delays could threaten industrial harmony in public universities. The position aligns with concerns recently expressed by several ASUU zones across the country over what they describe as partial implementation of the agreement.
Speaking at a press conference in Sokoto on Thursday, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Northwest, Prof. Abubakar Sabo, said the union’s position was based on resolutions reached during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Academic Staff Union of Universities’s gathering at Modibbo Adama University from May 9 to 10.
According to him, the Federal Government has yet to fully act on the agreement despite its public presentation in January.
He also noted that the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), expected to oversee the execution of the agreement, has not been constituted. Consequently, implementation has remained uneven across several federal and state universities.
Welfare Issues Remain Unresolved
Furthermore, the union expressed dissatisfaction with unresolved welfare concerns affecting academic staff.
“On outstanding welfare issues, ASUU Sokoto Zone decries the non-payment of the 25-35% salary award, promotion arrears, salary shortfalls, unremitted third-party deductions, and the three months’ salary withheld during the 2022 ASUU strike,” he said.
Sabo maintained that these issues continue to affect lecturers’ morale and productivity. Similar complaints have been raised by other ASUU zones, which argue that delays in implementing salary-related provisions could undermine the gains of the 2025 agreement.
The union’s concerns come despite the Federal Government’s earlier announcement that implementation of some welfare provisions, including salary adjustments and academic allowances, had commenced in certain institutions.
ASUU Questions Education Policies and University Governance
Meanwhile, the union also criticised several recent education policy proposals. Among the issues highlighted were the reversal of the mother-tongue policy in early childhood education, plans to establish a campus of Coventry University in Nigeria, and proposals to discontinue some programmes in the humanities and social sciences.
In addition, ASUU raised concerns about what it described as growing cases of maladministration, lack of transparency, and irregular appointments within Nigerian universities.
The union argued that such developments could weaken university governance and compromise institutional autonomy if not properly addressed.
Insecurity, Economic Hardship Worsen Academic Environment
Beyond campus-related issues, ASUU lamented the worsening security situation and economic difficulties confronting the country.
According to the union, rising insecurity, economic hardship, and political tensions are increasingly affecting teaching, research, and learning activities, especially in Northern Nigeria.
Sabo warned that universities cannot thrive in an environment characterised by uncertainty and persistent social challenges.
Union Warns Against Further Delays
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue, ASUU cautioned that industrial action remains an option if ongoing concerns are ignored.
The zonal coordinator warned that ASUU may embark on industrial action if all diplomatic options were exhausted.
He therefore appealed to patriotic Nigerians, parents, students, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to support the struggle for functional and adequately funded public universities.
The warning adds to growing pressure on the government, as ASUU chapters across different zones have recently issued similar calls for the faithful implementation of the 2025 agreement.