The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike over the alleged failure of the Federal Government to pay outstanding salaries and implement agreements reached with the union.
The union issued the warning after its National Executive Council, NEC, reviewed the state of negotiations with the government and the outstanding issues affecting university lecturers across the country.
Among ASUU’s major concerns are unpaid salary arrears and the government’s failure to fully implement the agreement reached with the union in 2025.
The union said several commitments made by the government remain outstanding despite repeated engagements and assurances.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, said the union had continued to engage the government in an effort to resolve the issues without resorting to industrial action.
However, he warned that lecturers could be forced to withdraw their services if the government failed to address the outstanding demands.
The union is also demanding the payment of withheld salaries owed to some lecturers, as well as the implementation of other provisions contained in the agreements reached with the government.
ASUU’s latest position has raised fresh concerns among students and parents, given the history of prolonged disruptions in Nigeria’s university system.
The union has, however, indicated that the threat is intended to pressure the government to honour its commitments rather than immediately shut down universities.
ASUU is expected to continue consultations with the Federal Government before taking a final decision on industrial action.
The development comes as Nigerian public universities continue to face concerns over funding, staff welfare, infrastructure and the implementation of agreements between the government and university workers.
If the outstanding issues are not resolved, the union could proceed with nationwide industrial action, potentially disrupting academic activities across federal and state universities.
The Federal Government has yet to fully resolve the issues raised by the union, leaving students and university communities waiting to see whether further negotiations can prevent another nationwide strike.
