The Academic Staff Union of Universities has accused the Federal Government of creating conditions that could force public universities across the country into another industrial action, citing unresolved agreements, inadequate funding and worsening welfare conditions for lecturers.
Speaking after a meeting of the union’s leadership, ASUU officials said the government had failed to honour several commitments previously reached with the union, despite repeated engagements and warnings.
According to the union, the continued delay in addressing critical issues affecting the university system is increasing frustration among academic staff and threatening stability in the sector.
“We are being compelled to shut down the universities,” ASUU said, arguing that the government’s handling of negotiations has shown a lack of seriousness toward improving higher education.
The union listed unpaid earned allowances, concerns over salary payments, poor infrastructure, and delays in renegotiating the 2009 agreement as some of the unresolved matters fueling tensions.
ASUU also criticised what it described as inadequate budgetary allocation to education, warning that Nigerian universities risk further decline if urgent intervention is not made.
Union leaders maintained that lecturers had shown restraint in recent months to avoid disrupting academic activities, but warned that patience among members was wearing thin.
“We have continued to exercise understanding in the interest of students and the nation, but there is a limit to what lecturers can endure,” one official stated.
The group further accused the government of failing to implement policies aimed at improving university autonomy, staff welfare and research development.
In response, government officials said efforts were ongoing to address the union’s concerns through dialogue and administrative measures. The Federal Ministry of Education reportedly assured stakeholders that discussions with ASUU remain active to prevent another nationwide strike.
The latest warning has renewed fears among students and parents over a possible disruption to the academic calendar, especially after previous ASUU strikes kept public universities closed for extended periods.
Education stakeholders have called on both parties to urgently resume negotiations and reach a compromise to avoid another shutdown of public tertiary institutions.
Observers say a prolonged dispute could further weaken confidence in Nigeria’s public university system and worsen challenges already affecting higher education in the country.
