The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto Zone, has warned that public universities across Nigeria could face another round of industrial action if the Federal Government continues to delay the implementation of agreements reached with the union.
Speaking during a press briefing in Sokoto on Thursday, ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Abubakar Sabo, accused both federal and state governments of failing to address key welfare and funding issues affecting lecturers and public universities.
Sabo said the delay in implementing the 2025 agreement signed between ASUU and the Federal Government in January was already creating tension across campuses.
According to him, the government has yet to set up the Implementation Monitoring Committee agreed upon during negotiations, resulting in uneven and delayed execution of the agreement in several universities.
He warned that continued inaction could trigger another crisis in the university system.
Among the unresolved issues highlighted by the union are the non-payment of the agreed 40 percent salary increase tied to Consolidated Academic and Tool Allowances (CATA), Earned Academic Allowances, and Professorial Allowances in some institutions.
ASUU also pointed to outstanding arrears from the 25–35 percent salary award, unpaid promotion arrears, salary shortfalls linked to the IPPIS platform, withheld salaries from the 2022 strike, and delayed pension payments for retired lecturers.
The union further expressed concern over the situation in some state-owned universities, citing unpaid allowances, failure to remit deductions and union dues, non-payment of annual salary increments, and the absence of governing councils in certain institutions.
Beyond welfare matters, ASUU criticised the Federal Government’s plan to establish a Nigerian campus of Coventry University under the Transnational Education framework, warning that the move could undermine local universities.
The union also rejected proposals to phase out some humanities and social science courses, insisting that every academic discipline plays a role in national development.
ASUU raised concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, saying banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes were disrupting academic activities in several institutions.
The union urged governments at all levels to tackle insecurity, poverty, and unemployment, while also honouring agreements reached with university workers to prevent another disruption in the education sector.
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