The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto Zone, has criticised the Federal Government over what it described as delays in implementing agreements reached with the union, particularly the failure to inaugurate the Implementation and Monitoring Committee agreed upon by both parties.
The union said unresolved welfare issues and inconsistent implementation of agreements across universities continue to threaten industrial harmony within Nigeria’s university system.
Speaking during a press briefing in Sokoto on Thursday, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Sokoto Zone, Professor Abubakar Sabo, expressed concern over what he called the continued neglect of academic staff welfare and other pending issues affecting lecturers nationwide.
According to him, the union’s struggle for improved conditions in Nigerian universities dates back to 2009, yet significant commitments by the government remain largely unfulfilled.
The Sokoto Zone comprises Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYUK), Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (AFUSTA), Sokoto State University (SSU), Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), Federal University Gusau (FUGUS), Sokoto State University of Education and Federal University of Applied Sciences Kachia (FUAZ).
Professor Sabo alleged that several universities have yet to fully implement the salary components contained in the 2025 agreement, leading to bureaucratic bottlenecks, inconsistencies and selective implementation by university administrators.
He identified some unresolved welfare issues to include the mainstreaming of the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowances (CATA), Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and professorial allowances into lecturers’ monthly salary structures.
The ASUU coordinator also listed arrears of the 25–35 per cent salary award, promotion arrears, salary shortfalls arising from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and other deductions among outstanding concerns.
Beyond welfare matters, the union expressed reservations about recent education policy directions by the Federal Government.
ASUU rejected certain policy proposals in the education sector, including the reversal of the mother tongue policy, compulsory enrolment into the Nigerian Education Repository Databank and suggestions to scrap courses in the humanities and social sciences.
According to the union, all academic disciplines contribute significantly to national development and social progress.
The union further argued that rising unemployment in the country is largely linked to poor economic policies, misplaced priorities and alleged corruption in governance.
Professor Sabo also raised concerns over what he described as governance irregularities and politically motivated appointments in Nigerian universities.
“A good example of such is happening in our zone with questionable academic designations and politically motivated appointments threatening the integrity and global reputation of Nigerian universities by negating merit, accountability and due process,” he said.
On the security situation in the country, the ASUU leader described the growing insecurity, economic hardship and political tension as alarming.
“It is evident that many communities have been displaced and denied their right of peace, living under palpable tension, fear and uncertainties,” he stated.
The union called on Nigerians across different sectors to support ASUU’s campaign for a functional, competitive and properly funded university system.
Despite its concerns, ASUU reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement with the government in resolving outstanding issues affecting higher education in Nigeria.