- ASUU dismissed the government’s claim of limited funds
- ASUU said the one-month window was meant to create room for genuine engagement
- continued neglect of the education sector could endanger the nation’s future
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has faulted the Federal Government for failing to make meaningful progress in negotiations aimed at preventing another strike.
Eko Hot Blog reports that ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, expressed disappointment that weeks after the union issued a one-month ultimatum, the government has yet to show genuine commitment to resolving the long-standing issues.
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He warned that continued neglect of the education sector could endanger the nation’s future.
In a communiqué issued at the end of ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Taraba State University, Jalingo, Piwuna described the government’s attitude as unserious, stressing that the “back-and-forth approach” would not yield lasting results.
The union recalled that its decision to suspend the October 2025 warning strike was a show of goodwill, following mediation efforts by students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
ASUU said the one-month window was meant to create room for genuine engagement, urging the government to seize the opportunity to avert another disruption in the academic calendar.
According to the communiqué, the union rejected the proposed salary increase as “a mere drop in the ocean,” arguing that it cannot address the growing brain drain in Nigerian universities.
While acknowledging slight progress in non-monetary discussions, ASUU said key issues such as remuneration, promotion arrears, and welfare remain unresolved.
Piwuna accused some government officials of misrepresenting facts and implementing agreements selectively. He insisted that the government must prioritize problem-solving over public image management.
Citing revenue data, ASUU dismissed the government’s claim of limited funds, stating that both federal and state allocations have significantly increased since 2022.
The union urged the government to use the remaining days of the ultimatum wisely and invest in education, describing it as the most reliable path to national development.
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