ASUU to Decide Next Steps as FG Meets on 2009 Agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will hold congresses across branches to decide its next steps following Tuesday’s nationwide protests.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government meets today to deliberate on the long-delayed implementation of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, which has remained unresolved despite repeated engagements.

Earlier this year, the Tinubu administration released N50bn to settle earned academic allowances. However, ASUU insists government must also address broader demands on improved salaries, conditions of service, funding, autonomy, and reviews of laws governing the NUC and JAMB.

Today’s meeting is expected to bring together the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi; and representatives of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. Discussions will attempt to reconcile the Yayale Ahmed committee draft concluded in December 2024 with the original 2009 agreement and the Nimi Briggs report, while considering how to phase fiscal commitments into the national budget.

ASUU, however, will not be part of the talks. Union president, Prof. Chris Piwuna, told newsmen on Wednesday that no invitation had been extended. He said while protests had ended, the union would return to members before announcing its next line of action.

Ahead of Tuesday’s demonstrations, ASUU branches warned that their patience was exhausted after submitting the renegotiated report in February. Abuja Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Al-Amin Abdullahi, said the union had fulfilled its part and expected adoption without delay, warning that failure could trigger another shutdown.

At the heart of the dispute is poor remuneration. Under the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure, Graduate Assistants earn between N125,000 and N138,020, while professors earn between N525,010 and N633,333. Former UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, lamented that many lecturers earn less today than in previous years and, in some cases, sleep in offices due to poor pay and morale.

Prof. Piwuna accused government of neglecting academics while prioritising politicians, noting that stagnant salaries weaken universities’ ability to attract talent and lower teaching standards. Professors, he said, still struggle to earn beyond N500,000 despite decades of service.

Other academics share similar concerns. UNILAG’s Prof. Tunde Adeoye noted that professors’ pay drops to about N300,000 after deductions far below peers in Kenya and Zimbabwe. He warned that many lecturers cannot meet basic needs, with some dying due to lack of funds for healthcare.

Prof. Andrew Haruna, Secretary of the Committee of Vice Chancellors, added that Nigeria undervalues its academics compared to international standards, stressing that lecturers need more than salaries, they require an enabling environment for teaching and research.

As ASUU consults its members and government weighs implementation, the outcome of today’s meeting will determine whether the standoff eases or if universities face another round of shutdowns.