The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, affected state governments and university authorities over what it described as the incomplete implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement.
The union directed its branches in 20 universities to begin preparations for industrial action, warning that the affected institutions could commence strike immediately after the ultimatum expires if the outstanding issues are not resolved.
The decision was reached at ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026.
ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, adding that the union would convene an emergency NEC meeting at the end of August or early September to assess developments and determine its next course of action.
The affected universities are Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; Gombe State University; Plateau State University, Bokkos; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Abia State University, Uturu; and University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa.
Others are Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo; Kaduna State University; Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil; Northwest University, Kano; Enugu State University of Science and Technology; Imo State University; Niger Delta University; University of Africa, Toru-Orua; Bayelsa Medical University; and Taraba State University, Jalingo.
According to the union, its branches in the affected universities would embark on the proposed strike once the 14-day ultimatum elapses without a satisfactory resolution.
ASUU said its branches in the Sokoto Zone had already issued a separate two-week ultimatum.
The union blamed the latest development on what it called the “haphazard implementation” of the 2025 agreement and the Federal Government’s “lackadaisical attitude” towards releasing the subvention required for its full implementation.
“NEC discussed the state of the struggle and noted that a significant milestone had been reached signing the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, but frowned at the haphazard implementation and lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government in the release of subvention to fully actualise the implementation of the said 2025 Agreement,” ASUU said.
The union also accused visitors to some state-owned universities of failing to implement relevant provisions of the agreement, warning that such actions were undermining the gains recorded through the pact.
The agreement, signed in December 2025 after more than 16 years of negotiations, was designed to address longstanding concerns surrounding lecturers’ remuneration, welfare, research funding and the underfunding of public universities.
Among its provisions was a 40 per cent increase in academic staff salaries, effective January 1, 2026. The Federal Government announced in February that implementation of the salary adjustment had commenced.
The pact also introduced the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), covering expenses linked to journal publications, learned-society membership, conferences, internet access and books.
Professors are entitled to a Professorial Cadre Allowance of N1.74 million annually, or N145,000 monthly, while readers are to receive N840,000 annually, or N70,000 monthly.
The agreement further provided for reviews of Earned Academic Allowances, including payments for postgraduate supervision and other academic responsibilities, alongside measures targeting staff welfare, research, infrastructure and institutional development.
However, ASUU said implementation had become another source of disagreement, alleging that some universities were implementing only portions of the agreement while others had yet to implement some of its provisions.
The union also expressed concern over delays in constituting the Implementation Monitoring Committee, which it said was necessary to prevent bureaucratic bottlenecks from frustrating the agreement.
Promotions, Insecurity Also Raise Concerns
ASUU’s NEC also considered academic promotions, appointments and insecurity across university campuses.
The union commended the withdrawal of two professorial appointments at the Federal University Lokoja following resistance and investigations by the institution’s ASUU branch.
At the Federal University Wukari, however, NEC expressed concern over the promotion of a former registrar to the professorial cadre.
It directed its branches to resist the promotion of bursars and registrars who do not meet the professorial promotion criteria applicable to their respective universities.
The union also raised concerns over insecurity on university campuses, particularly attacks that have resulted in the deaths of some of its members.
It directed affected branches to petition the police and other security agencies over security incidents and compile comprehensive reports for submission to the national leadership.
With the 14-day ultimatum now in effect, the Federal Government and affected state governments face renewed pressure to resolve the outstanding issues and prevent another disruption of academic activities across Nigeria’s public universities.
