*Accuses FG of haphazard implementation of 2025 renegotiated agreement
*Issues 14-day ultimatum before proceeding on strike to press home their demands
*Asks govt to release subvention to fully actualise implementation of 2025 Agreement
*That decision was reached at Union’s NEC meeting held in Abuja on August 8 and 9
By Ngozi Nwanlwo
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed no fewer than 20 state-owned universities across the country to embark on an indefinite strike in two weeks over what it described as the “haphazard implementation” of the 2025 renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and the union.
ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the decision was reached at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026.
The planned industrial action is linked to the alleged failure of federal and state governments to fully implement key provisions of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, particularly those relating to lecturers’ allowances and funding.
After nearly 16 years of deadlock over the implementation of previous agreements, the Federal Government and ASUU signed a renegotiated agreement on January 14, following intensive negotiations that concluded in December 2025.
The agreement provides for the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) and Professorial Allowance, among other provisions, aimed at improving lecturers’ welfare and strengthening teaching and research in public universities.
However, discontent has continued to grow, particularly among state universities, over alleged delays by state governments in meeting their financial obligations under the agreement.
Reports indicate that only about 10 state universities have fully implemented the agreement, leaving more than 57 others awaiting compliance.
Piwuna said ASUU’s NEC was concerned about what it described as the “haphazard implementation” of the 2025 agreement and the Federal Government’s “lackadaisical attitude” towards releasing the subvention required facilitating its full implementation.
According to him, the NEC has directed about 20 affected universities to issue 14-day ultimatums to their respective governments before commencing indefinite strikes.
“NEC discussed the state of the struggle and noted that a significant milestone had been reached with the signing of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, but frowned at the haphazard implementation and lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government in the release of subvention to fully actualise the implementation of the said 2025 Agreement,” the statement said.
The institutions directed to issue the 14-day ultimatums 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; and University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa.
Others are Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo; Kaduna State University; Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil; Northwest University, Kano; Enugu State University of Science and Technology; Imo State University; Niger Delta University; University of Africa, Toru-Orua; Bayelsa Medical University; and Taraba State University, Jalingo.
The union’s latest move raises the prospect of another round of disruptions in the nation’s university system if the affected governments fail to address ASUU’s demands before the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum.
