ASUU Threatens Strike Rejects Government Loan Scheme

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that it may embark on another strike if the Federal Government continues to ignore agreements and unresolved issues in the university system.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday at the University of Jos, ASUU President Prof. Christopher Piwuna said the union had exercised patience for over two years without results. He accused the government of deliberately stalling the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, failing to clear salary arrears, and neglecting plans to revitalise universities.

“Trust has been destroyed by government. It is, therefore, up to them to regain it to avert any strike,” Piwuna said.

The union faulted the government’s inaction on the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed Report submitted in February 2025, describing it as a violation of collective bargaining principles under International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.

ASUU also rejected the proposed Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a loan scheme for lecturers, calling it a “poison chalice.” Piwuna argued that what lecturers need is fair wages through the renegotiated agreement, not loans that would worsen their debts.

“Our members do not lack where to find loans; indeed, they are already deep in debt. After deductions, nothing would be left for families. How can the government ask us to take loans to pay for health and education?” he asked.

The union further criticised the unchecked proliferation of universities, saying successive administrations had turned them into tools of political patronage, while many remain underfunded and poorly staffed. It called on government to extend the moratorium on public universities to private ones as well.

ASUU also decried the plight of retired lecturers under the Contributory Pension Scheme, noting that some receive as little as ₦150,000 monthly despite decades of service. “This situation is cruel and unacceptable,” the union said.

The National Executive Council (NEC) resolved to wait for the outcome of a scheduled government meeting on August 28 before taking further steps. In the meantime, ASUU announced plans to hold rallies across university campuses next week as a warning to government.

“We cannot continue this journey with empty tanks. If the government fails to act, ASUU will have no choice but to embark on action to defend public university education,” Piwuna warned.

The union restated its demands: renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement, revitalisation of universities, sustainable funding, better welfare, and an end to victimisation of members. It said Nigerians should hold the Federal Government responsible if a strike becomes inevitable.