The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned of another potential industrial unrest in the public university system if the Federal Government and state governments fail to fully implement the December 2025 agreement.

The union expressed its dissatisfaction with the implementation of the agreement signed with the Federal Government during its National Executive Council meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, on May 9 and 10, 2026. According to ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, the union had maintained a studied silence since the signing and public presentation of the agreement in January 2026.

The union decided to speak out after reviewing the implementation process and other unresolved issues affecting university lecturers. It stated that the momentum generated with the unveiling of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement on 14th January, 2026 is fast waning and may soon be lost if government’s promise to fully implement the agreement is not kept.

In March 2026, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, declared the era of strikes in Nigerian tertiary institutions permanently over. However, ASUU blamed the current situation on the failure to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee, which was meant to ensure proper execution of the agreement.

The union accused federal and state authorities of implementing the agreement in a distorted and uncoordinated manner, while only a few state governments have complied. It also criticized administrators of federal universities for selectively implementing components such as Consolidated Academic Allowances, Earned Academic Allowances, and Professorial Allowances.

ASUU further criticized some state governments for allegedly ignoring the agreement despite participating in the negotiation process. The union reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring members benefit from the gains of the eight-year negotiation. It also faulted the Federal Government’s proposed National Research Council and the Minister of Education’s announcement of a National Research and Innovation Development Fund.

The union questioned the proposed $500 million funding structure and its source, expressing concern over possible external borrowing. On welfare matters, ASUU said several issues remained unresolved, including salary arrears, promotion arrears, unremitted deductions, salary shortfalls under the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, and withheld salaries from the 2022 strike.

It also criticized delays in pension payments for retired lecturers, particularly in state universities, and accused the National Pension Commission of delaying benefit harmonization.