ASUU Threatens Fresh Nationwide Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to shut down public universities again, warning that it may activate its suspended strike “without any further notice” unless the Federal Government and state governments urgently resolve outstanding issues affecting lecturers’ welfare.

NEC Meeting and Key Demands

The union’s latest threat followed an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) held on September 5, 2026, at its Festus Iyayi National Secretariat Complex, University of Abuja.

In a statement signed by its National President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, ASUU said the failure of government to fully implement the December 2025 agreement, pay outstanding withheld salaries and remit deductions from workers’ pay had pushed the university system towards another industrial crisis.

“Unless immediate and concrete steps are taken to FULLY and COMPREHENSIVELY address issues bordering the welfare and well-being of Nigerian academics, ASUU-NEC will not accept any blame for calling out its members on a nationwide strike action within the shortest time possible.” – ASUU NEC

Outstanding Salary Arrears

According to ASUU, lecturers are still being owed three-and-a-half months out of the seven-and-a-half months’ salaries withheld during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The union acknowledged that the present administration has paid four months, but said the outstanding 3.5 months have lost more than 50% of their value since 2022 due to naira devaluation and rising inflation.

“We state for the umpteenth time that the lecturers have done the work for which they are being punished. They did it at huge cost to their physical and psycho-social well-being. For healing and restoration in the Nigerian University System, we think the withheld salaries of lecturers should be released without further delay.” – Prof. Christopher Piwuna

Other Issues Listed by ASUU

Non-implementation of the December 2025 agreement
Non-remittance of billions of naira deducted from lecturers’ salaries
Poor funding of universities and violation of university autonomy
Deteriorating welfare and working conditions of academic staff

States Praised and Warned

ASUU commended Abia, Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Benue, Yobe, Adamawa, Kebbi, Katsina and Borno State Governments for taking steps towards implementing the agreement.

The union warned that Kano, Edo, Plateau, Taraba, Gombe and Bayelsa states must act quickly between September and October or risk plunging their universities into “an industrial crisis of monumental proportions.”

Related Development

In a related development, the ASUU chapter at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, has commenced an indefinite strike over non-payment of the full August 2026 salary.

Conclusion

ASUU insists it can no longer guarantee uninterrupted academic activities while the economic and professional wellbeing of its members remain under threat.

Source: Vanguard News, TheTimes.com.ng, Punch Newspaper