ASUU Nationwide Protests see lecturers across universities warning of strike if government fails to meet demands on salaries, arrears, and autonomy

ASUU Nationwide Protests erupted across Nigerian universities on Tuesday as lecturers staged coordinated demonstrations to press home long-standing demands two days before a decisive meeting with the Federal Government in Abuja.

Also read: ASUU warns FG to finalize agreements or face looming industrial crisis

From Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, to the University of Maiduguri, and from Sokoto to Calabar, lecturers marched with placards, chanting solidarity songs, and warning that a nationwide strike looms if government continues to ignore their plight.

The demands were uniform: full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, release of three and a half months of withheld salaries, payment of 25–35 per cent arrears, settlement of promotion arrears, revitalisation of universities, and the adoption of UTAS over IPPIS to protect university autonomy.

The rejection of the government’s proposed tertiary institution staff loan scheme was also a central theme.

At OAU, ASUU Chairperson Prof. Tony Odiwe accused government of stalling on the Yayale Ahmed renegotiation report submitted in February 2025. He warned that industrial peace was at risk if urgent steps were not taken.

In Akure, Zonal Coordinator Prof. Adeola Egbedokun said patience had reached a breaking point: “Our members teach on empty stomachs, live in debt, and can no longer afford basic needs.”

At Plateau State University, National President Prof. Chris Piwuna joined the protests alongside the Vice Chancellor, denouncing poor salaries, unpaid allowances, and enforcement of IPPIS as a threat to university autonomy.

In Lafia, Branch Chair Sunday Orinya decried neglect that had led to the deaths of lecturers, while in Sokoto, UDUS Chair Prof. Nurudeen Almustapha dismissed the government’s loan scheme as a “poisoned chalice.”

Placards at UNILORIN read University workers are not slaves” and “Honour your agreement with ASUU.” Dr. Alex Akanmu lamented that government’s refusal to implement agreements had left the system “near collapse.”

From FUTA to UNICAL, Abia State University to UNIOSUN, lecturers condemned unpaid arrears, withheld benefits, and alleged victimisation.

In Maiduguri, protesters also opposed the renaming of their institution after former President Muhammadu Buhari without consultation.

Also read: ASUU opposes renaming of UNIMAID, vows court challenge

The message from campuses was clear: if Thursday’s Abuja meeting fails, the fragile calm will shatter, and another nationwide strike could cripple Nigerian universities.