ASUU Warns of Potential Nationwide Strike Over Unresolved University Issues

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has sounded the alarm over what it described as the Federal Government’s lack of commitment to resolving persistent issues in Nigeria’s university system, warning that another nationwide strike could be imminent.

Speaking at a press conference at Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, on Saturday, November 15, 2025, ASUU Bauchi Zonal Coordinator, Timothy Namo, expressed frustration over the slow progress despite the suspension of the union’s two-week warning strike, which began on October 13, 2025.

“Barely one week to the expiration of the four-week window given to the government, nothing substantial has been achieved,” Namo said, noting that a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held from November 8–9 at Taraba State University rejected the government’s salary increment proposal, describing it as “a drop in the ocean” insufficient to reverse the brain drain crippling the nation’s universities.

While acknowledging some progress on non-monetary aspects of negotiations, Namo lamented that the critical issues of salaries and working conditions remain unresolved. He also accused certain government officials of deliberately undermining the negotiation process.

“There is no sufficient evidence from the government’s response so far to suggest that education is a priority in Nigeria and that the government truly desires to avert a crisis in the universities,” he added.

ASUU also criticised partial payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2017 and the release of third-party deductions, describing them as inadequate gestures that do little to rebuild trust.

Contradicting claims of insufficient funds, Namo cited financial allocations showing significant increases to both federal and state governments: N3.92 trillion in 2022 to N5.81 trillion in 2024 for states, and N3.42 trillion in 2022 to N4.65 trillion in 2024 for the Federal Government.

“These statistics confirm that it is not lack of funds but lack of political will and misplacement of priorities that make education suffer in Nigeria,” he stated.

The union called on traditional rulers, civil society organisations, student bodies, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the National Assembly to intervene and prevent another disruption of academic activities. Namo urged the government to use the remaining days of the negotiation window wisely, emphasising that massive investment in education is the surest way to safeguard the nation’s future.

ASUU had suspended its two-week warning strike in October 2025 following renewed commitments from the Federal Government and the National Assembly to address the union’s demands.