The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has expressed deep concern over what it calls the Federal Government’s lack of seriousness in addressing long-standing issues threatening Nigeria’s university system.

Speaking at a press conference held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, the zonal coordinator, Timothy Namo, said the government had failed to show genuine commitment despite the union’s gesture of suspending its two-week warning strike declared on October 13.

Namo recalled that ASUU suspended the strike on October 21 after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, following overwhelming support from students, labour unions, the media, the National Assembly and concerned Nigerians. The suspension, he said, was meant to give room for constructive dialogue.

However, with barely a week left before the four-week negotiation window closes, Namo lamented that “nothing substantial has been achieved,” accusing the government of dragging its feet on critical demands.

He revealed that the NEC meeting held from November 8 to 9 at Taraba State University rejected the government’s proposed salary increase, describing it as grossly inadequate and incapable of reversing the massive brain drain plaguing the university sector. While some progress had been made on non-monetary issues, he noted that salaries and working conditions—the core of ASUU’s agitation—remained unresolved.

Namo further criticised what he described as deliberate attempts by certain government officials to frustrate the negotiation process. “There is no sufficient evidence from the government’s response so far to suggest that education is a priority in Nigeria,” he said, warning that the current attitude could trigger fresh disruptions in academic activities.

He also faulted the partial payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2017 and the release of third-party deductions, insisting that such gestures were far from rebuilding trust.

Challenging government claims of insufficient funds, ASUU highlighted data showing significant increases in financial allocations to both federal and state governments. Namo stated that states received ₦3.92 trillion in 2022 and ₦5.81 trillion in 2024, while federal allocation rose from ₦3.42 trillion in 2022 to ₦4.65 trillion in 2024—representing over 62 per cent and 70 per cent increases, respectively.

“These statistics confirm that it is not lack of funds but lack of political will and misplacement of priorities that make education suffer in Nigeria,” he said.

ASUU called on traditional rulers, civil society organisations, student unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the National Assembly to intervene urgently to prevent another shutdown of universities.

Namo urged the government to utilise the remaining negotiation days wisely, stressing that massive investment in education remains the most reliable path to securing Nigeria’s future.

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he number of international students enrolling in American higher education institutions has, for the first time, declined by 17 per cent this year amid persistent efforts by President Donald Trump to crack down on large-scale immigration into the United States. According to a report published by the Institute of International Education on Monday, the 17 per cent decrease in the number of international students on American campuses starting from the second half of this year is a significant contrast to the nearly steady one per cent decline from the last academic session. According to The New York Times, the institute conducted the study by gathering data from less than a quarter of degree-awarding American universities and colleges, specifically those with high numbers of international students. The report noted that 57 per cent of the approximately 825 schools that participated in the study reported decreases in new enrollment from international students. Despite the lack of clarity about international student enrolment, the latest report published by the institute roughly aligns with separate data from the Department of Homeland Security on students on visas, which could signal a further decrease in the number of foreign students on American campuses in the coming years, the Times reported. The decline can be attributed to the aggressive policies embarked upon by the Trump administration, including the cut of research funding and grants to several American universities earlier this year, which forced the schools to limit the number of admissions given to foreign applicants, especially graduate students. Potential international students are also skeptical of going to the United States after the Trump administration revoked thousands of student visas due to the victims allegedly having “anti-American and antisemitic” views, while also updating U.S. visa requirements to include screening of applicants’ social media profiles to determine admissibility into American soil. Recently, Mr Trump signed an executive order raising the sponsorship fee of H-1B work visas from $5,000 to $100,000 per year for American companies seeking to hire employees from Nigeria and other countries, making it more difficult for graduates to switch from student visas to long-term visa categories.

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International Student Enrollment in U.S. Universities Plunges 17% Amid Trump Immigration Crackdown

The number of international students enrolling in American higher education institutions has dropped by 17 per cent this year—marking the sharpest decline ever recorded—amid ongoing efforts by President Donald Trump to tighten immigration controls.

The data, released Monday by the Institute of International Education (IIE), shows a dramatic shift from the near-steady one per cent decline reported during the previous academic year. According to The New York Times, the IIE gathered data from fewer than a quarter of U.S. degree-granting institutions, focusing on schools with historically high international student populations.

Of the roughly 825 colleges and universities that participated, 57 per cent reported a fall in new international student enrollment. Although the report does not represent all institutions nationwide, its findings align with separate figures from the Department of Homeland Security regarding student visa holders—suggesting a continuing downward trend in the years ahead.

The decline is widely linked to the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration and education policies. Earlier this year, federal research funding and grants to several universities were slashed, forcing many institutions to limit admissions for foreign applicants, particularly at the graduate level.

Additionally, international students are increasingly hesitant to apply to U.S. schools following the revocation of thousands of student visas. The administration claimed the affected students held “anti-American and antisemitic” views, further heightening concerns among prospective applicants. The U.S. also updated its visa requirements to include mandatory screening of social media accounts, adding another layer of scrutiny during the application process.

In a move generating global reaction, President Trump recently signed an executive order raising the annual sponsorship fee for H-1B work visas from $5,000 to $100,000. The change affects companies hiring foreign workers, including applicants from Nigeria, and significantly complicates the pathway for international graduates hoping to transition from student visas to long-term employment in the U.S.

Education analysts warn that the steep decline could impact U.S. universities financially and academically, as international students contribute billions of dollars annually to the economy and bolster research output across campuses.