- the absence of the monitoring body has contributed to uneven enforcement of the agreement across institutions
- Sabo warned that continued neglect of the issues could destabilise the university system
- ASUU also pointed to withheld salaries from the 2022 strike period
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto Zone, has raised concerns over the possibility of fresh industrial action in Nigeria’s public university system, citing the non-implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the union issued the warning during a briefing in Sokoto on Thursday, accusing authorities at both federal and state levels of failing to address long-standing welfare and funding issues affecting lecturers and higher institutions.
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Speaking on behalf of the union, the Sokoto Zonal Coordinator, Abubakar Sabo, said the delay in executing provisions of the 2025 agreement signed between ASUU and the Federal Government was creating frustration within universities.
He noted that although the agreement was formally unveiled in January 2026, the committee expected to oversee its implementation had yet to be inaugurated.
According to him, the absence of the monitoring body has contributed to uneven enforcement of the agreement across institutions.
Sabo warned that continued neglect of the issues could destabilise the university system and trigger avoidable disruptions.
Among the unresolved matters highlighted by the union were the non-payment of salary arrears, delays in promotion benefits, unpaid allowances and lingering financial discrepancies linked to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.
ASUU also pointed to withheld salaries from the 2022 strike period, outstanding pension obligations and deductions yet to be remitted.
The union further claimed that some universities had not implemented the approved 40 per cent upward review in allowances tied to academic work tools and professorial benefits.
State-owned institutions, particularly within the Sokoto Zone, were said to be battling additional challenges, including unpaid earned allowances, outstanding annual increments dating back to 2020 and the lack of governing councils in some schools.
Beyond staff welfare, ASUU criticised aspects of the government’s education policy direction.
The union specifically faulted plans to establish a Nigerian branch of Coventry University under the Transnational Education framework, arguing that such a move could undermine local universities and increase dependence on foreign institutions.
It also rejected suggestions to phase out certain humanities and social science programmes, insisting that no discipline should be considered irrelevant to national development.
ASUU maintained that unemployment in Nigeria was driven more by governance failures, corruption and economic policies than by the courses students study.
The union additionally expressed concern over worsening insecurity across northern states, saying bandit attacks, kidnappings and communal conflicts were affecting both academic activities and the safety of students and lecturers.
It urged governments to prioritise security, poverty reduction and job creation as part of efforts to improve the education sector.
ASUU called on parents, civil society groups and Nigerians to support efforts aimed at strengthening public universities.
The union, however, reiterated its preference for dialogue but warned that continued disregard for agreements could worsen the crisis in the nation’s tertiary education sector.
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