The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned of possible renewed industrial action across Nigerian universities, accusing the Federal Government of failing to fully implement the 2025 FG-ASUU agreement and neglecting lecturers’ welfare obligations.

Rising from its National Executive Council meeting held at the Modibbo Adama University in Yola, Adamawa State, the union said frustration among academics was growing due to what it described as the slow and selective execution of key provisions of the agreement.

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said the situation was becoming increasingly tense, warning that continued neglect of lecturers’ welfare could destabilise the university system if not urgently addressed.

The union criticised the Federal Government for not constituting the Implementation Monitoring Committee meant to ensure compliance with the agreement, alleging that this has weakened accountability in the process.

It further accused some universities and state governments of partial implementation of agreed allowances, including academic tool, earned academic and professorial allowances, while others had reportedly ignored the agreement entirely.

ASUU also raised concerns over unresolved salary arrears, promotion backlogs, IPPIS-related discrepancies, unremitted deductions, and withheld salaries from the 2022 strike period, describing the issues as evidence of systemic neglect.

According to the union, the worsening welfare conditions of lecturers pose risks to national development, arguing that the academic workforce has been treated unfairly despite its central role in human capital development.

Beyond welfare concerns, ASUU strongly opposed several recent education policy decisions by the Federal Ministry of Education, particularly the proposed Transnational Education arrangement involving Coventry University, which it described as a form of “neo-colonial academic expansion.”

The union argued that rather than importing foreign institutions, Nigeria should strengthen its own universities to achieve global competitiveness.

It also criticised the reversal of the mother-tongue instruction policy in early childhood education, insisting that research supports local language use in foundational learning.

ASUU further rejected the compulsory enrolment of academics in the Nigeria Education Repository Databank, warning that it raises concerns about data privacy and academic independence.

The union also faulted proposals to scrap certain university courses deemed irrelevant, insisting that disciplines in the humanities and social sciences remain essential for critical thinking and national development.

It accused some university administrators of financial mismanagement and irregular practices, including controversial academic appointments, which it said undermine institutional integrity.

ASUU also condemned an alleged attempt by the Niger State Government to reclaim land occupied by the Federal University of Technology, Minna, warning that such actions could disrupt federal-state relations in education infrastructure development.

The union expressed broader concern over Nigeria’s socio-economic conditions, citing rising insecurity, inflation, and widespread poverty as factors contributing to national instability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It urged the Federal Government to urgently address outstanding issues in order to prevent another disruption of academic activities, while reaffirming its readiness for continued dialogue.

ASUU said its NEC had directed that an emergency meeting be held in the coming weeks to review developments and decide on possible next steps.