The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abuja Zone, has appealed to Nigerians to intervene and urge the Federal Government to resolve lingering issues with the union to avert another industrial action in public universities.
Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Al-Amin Abdullahi—represented by Dr. Sylvanus Ugoh, Chairman of the University of Abuja chapter—made the appeal during a press conference in Abuja on Monday. He warned that the future of public universities and millions of students “cannot be sacrificed on the altar of insecurity, indifference and political grandstanding.”
Abdullahi explained that the briefing became necessary in light of the recently suspended warning strike, noting that the government had failed to act on the one-month grace period granted by ASUU.
He stated that the unresolved issues include the renegotiation and full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, which covers academic autonomy, university revitalisation, improved funding and staff welfare. Also pending are the release of withheld salaries for three and a half months, payment of substantial arrears from the 25%/35% wage award, and unremitted third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
He said the union accepted the government’s proposals at an emergency NEC meeting on Oct. 21 “in good faith,” despite their inadequacy, to allow a resumption of genuine collective bargaining. The two-week warning strike was suspended on Oct. 22 in deference to students, parents, labour groups and other Nigerians who intervened.
“Almost four weeks since the suspension, it is obvious the Federal Government has not used this goodwill period effectively,” Abdullahi said. “The administration has not demonstrated the urgency required to address persistent issues plaguing public universities.”
He stressed that delayed salary awards, withheld salaries, unpaid arrears and chronic underfunding had inflicted serious hardship on lecturers and disrupted students’ academic progression—resulting in prolonged calendars, financial strain and derailed educational plans.
Abdullahi also faulted the government’s proposal on salary and conditions of service, describing them as far below ASUU’s expectations. While acknowledging the release of some third-party deductions and partial payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2017, he said these gestures were insufficient and did not address the substantive concerns.
“The best way to revitalise public universities is through sincere negotiation, not propaganda,” he said. “When agreements are broken, payments withheld, or deception employed, ASUU has a moral and constitutional duty to defend public education. The union will not hesitate to deploy every lawful tool if the government continues to trivialise issues that threaten the survival of public universities.”
Institutions under the Abuja Zone include the University of Abuja, Federal University of Technology Minna, Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State University Keffi, and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai.