ASUU Stages Nationwide Protests Ahead of Crucial Meeting with FG

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday staged coordinated protests across campuses nationwide, pressing home long-standing demands on the Federal Government. The demonstrations came just two days before a crucial meeting scheduled for Thursday in Abuja.

From Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, to Federal University of Lafia, University of Ilorin, University of Calabar, Abia State University, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Plateau State University, University of Maiduguri, and Osun State University, lecturers trooped out in large numbers. They marched with placards, sang solidarity songs, and warned of an imminent strike if government continued to ignore their plight.

The issues raised were consistent across campuses: full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, release of three and a half months withheld salaries, payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears, settlement of promotion arrears, revitalisation of universities, rejection of the proposed tertiary institution staff loan scheme, and the adoption of UTAS over IPPIS to safeguard university autonomy.

At Obafemi Awolowo University, ASUU Chairperson, Prof. Tony Odiwe, lamented that lecturers had remained on the same salary scale since 2009. He accused the government of deliberately stalling on the Yayale Ahmed renegotiation report submitted in February 2025. According to him “if industrial peace collapses on campuses, the government must take full responsibility”.

In Ekiti State, ASUU’s Akure Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Adeola Egbedokun, declared at FUOYE that patience among academics had reached breaking point. “Our members teach on empty stomachs, live in debt, and can no longer afford basic needs. If the government chooses provocation over responsibility, then it alone must bear the consequences” he said.

At the Federal University of Lafia, Branch Chairperson, Sunday Orinya, accused the government of deceit and neglect, lamenting that several lecturers had died from hardship and pauperisation. He reiterated demands for withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and proper funding of universities.

Protests at Plateau State University carried added weight, as the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shedrack Best, and ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, joined lecturers on the streets. They condemned poor salaries, non-payment of allowances, and the enforcement of IPPIS, warning that university autonomy was under siege.

In Sokoto, the demonstration drew members from three universities. UDUS Branch Chairperson, Prof. Nurudeen Almustapha, demanded the immediate implementation of the Yayale Ahmed report, dismissing the government’s loan scheme as a “poisoned chalice.”

At the University of Ilorin, protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “University workers are not slaves” and “Honour your agreement with ASUU” Branch Chair, Dr. Alex Akanmu, said the Federal Government’s failure to implement its own agreements had worsened the pauperisation of lecturers and pushed the system to the brink of collapse.

In Akure, FUTA’s ASUU Chairperson, Prof. Pius Mogaji, criticised government’s “reckless indifference” to the renegotiation report and warned that “all options remain on the table”.

At the University of Calabar, Branch Chairperson, Peter Ubi, accused the government of eroding trust and pushing members into debt. In Maiduguri, lecturers protested poor retirement benefits, unpaid arrears, and the unilateral renaming of the university after former President Muhammadu Buhari without consultation.

In Umuahia, Abia State University lecturers carried placards rejecting the government’s loan scheme and lamented unpaid salaries. At Osun State University, Branch Chairperson, Dr. Wende Olaosebikan, decried non-payment of salary increments and alleged victimisation of lecturers.

Across the campuses, the message was unified: if the Federal Government fails to act decisively at Thursday’s meeting, the fragile calm in universities will give way to yet another nationwide strike.