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•Don’t allow ASUU embark on strike –Students, parents beg FG
By Gabriel Dike, Fred Ezeh, Abuja, Scholastic Hir, Makurdi, Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar, Rita Ugo, Praise Adeagba and Esther Emmanuel, Lagos
Unless the Federal Government acts fast to resolve the issues in contention with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), lecturers in public universities may down tools in protest against unmet demands.
Some of the demands date back to 16 years, including but not limited to renegotiation of FG-ASUU 2009/2012 agreements; non-payment of three and a half months outstanding salaries; Earned Academic Allowance (EAA); sack of members in state and federal universities and non-remittance of third party deductions.
On August 24 and 25, 2025, ASUU embarked on mobilisation of its members in various branches. The union also engaged in sensitisation of Nigerians on their plight with call to them to appeal to the Federal Government to do the needful to avert industrial action. Reports indicate ASUU members voted overwhelmingly for an indefinite strike.
The last straw that broke the camel’s back was when Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, claimed that there was no signed agreement between government and ASUU. And less 24 hours, he made a u-turn and admitted the existence of 2009-signed agreement.
Alausa’s position further infuriated ASUU members. The union accused him of acting another script and warned him of the consequences if he maintained such a position. Drumbeat of strike is loud in the universities and ASUU is emphatic that if government refuses to meet its demands, it will down tools.
ASUU Lagos Zone Coordinator, Prof. Adesola Nassir, said the demands have been placed before government for resolution: “Members have displayed rare patience and perseverance, which the government took as complacency. We will take our destiny in our hands.
“Government failed to implement the 2009 renegotiated agreement, which has subjected students and staff to untold hardship and poverty. The right of ASUU to embark on strike when all efforts yield no meaningful results is recognised by the labour laws.
“Our members are being owed various entitlements, including third-party deductions made by the corrupt and discredited IPPIS, promotion arrears of up to four years, arrears of wage award, and palliatives.
“When the Minister expressed last year the wish of government that there would be no strike in tertiary institutions, one would expect government to match words with action.”
ASUU-UNILAG chairman, Prof. Idou Keinde, said: “Members in are hungry. They are teaching on empty stomachs because of poor welfare and non-payment of three and a half months of outstanding salaries.
“Government with its current attitude, is pushing ASUU to embark on a national strike. We call on Nigerians to appeal to government to do the needful before it is too late.”
At protest rallies, some of the placards read: “Education is life, pay lecturers living wages”, “Neglect of university education is a path to underdevelopment”, and “Proper funding of university education is non-negotiable”.
Students’ reactions
Final year student, University of Ibadan, Samuel Oluwadare, told Daily Sun: “I can’t afford to overstay my studies. My four years programme is now turning to five years. My mates in private universities are in NYSC camp. Government should meet with ASUU leadership and attend to their demands. The disruption of the academic calendar will affect students.”
Donatus Eze, 300-level student, Olabisi Onabsnjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, said: “It’s case of two elephants fighting and the grass (student) suffers from the consequences. The ball is in the court of government to address the demands of ASUU. I appeal to President Tinubu to intervene and use his presidential powers to resolve the issues at stake.”
A 200-level student, University of Abuja, Kabir Adaji, has never experienced an ASUU strike: “However, I have heard horrible experiences about ASUU strike. I have some brothers and sisters who had extra years in school because of the ASUU strike.
“The experience affected their annual rent, budgets for food and upkeep. Most of them lived outside the campus and cared for themselves through a lean financial budget for food, transportation and others.”
Okafor Emmanuel is a 400-level student studying engineering, Imo State University (IMSU): “I am aware of the issue between government and ASUU. It is always revolving around poor funding by government or unpaid salaries of the lecturers and how government has refused to implement signed previous agreements.
“This is not my first experience of ASUU strike. I had no option than to wait as the strike lasted for eight months. It was very stressful for me because the delay made me lose valuable time that would have been used for something else. My sister spent eight years in the university for a four-year course because of repeated strikes in the past years. I had some friends in the final year who dropped out because of the never-ending strike.”
Nwachukwu Divine Chidimma, 200-level, Theatre Arts, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere, Ekiti State (BOUESTI): “Government should not allow students to suffer another strike because of their ignorance. When my sister went back after the long strike, she was confronted with dangerous insects because she stayed had become like an abandoned building.
“They were also supposed to write exams before the strike. When it finally ended, many students dropped out because they could not keep up with school work. Most of them had issues with accommodation as their hostel rents had expired.”
Peter Olum Ochuebey, final year student studying Engineering, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, said: “If ASUU should go on strike, students might end up spending extra years not planned for, coupled with paying for hostel rents not occupied.”
Vanessa Vershima, student, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), Benue State, said: “The strike will cause academic setbacks and delay, leading to unseriousness and reluctance to study at home. And then it makes some students to engage in some activities that are not good or not legal.
“l would advise government to resolve whatever issues they have with the ASUU so they will stay back and teach us. At least, a worker deserves his or her wages.”
Godwin Aondohemba, Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), formerly, Benue State University (BSU), said: “I plead with government to work on the agreements reached with ASUU so they don’t send us back home. We need to learn and come out without spending extra years. Apart from school, we have other plans. So my plan is to finish in four years and face life with the remaining years. So government should do the needful as soon as possible.”
A 300-level student, Nasarawa State University, Catherine Aichida, said: “I had the experience of ASUU strike in my 100 level, and it delayed my academic journey. I won’t like to experience it again. Hence, all the parties, especially ASUU and FG must resolve the issues in contention. NANS should prevail on the government to attend to ASUU so as to avoid any industrial disharmony in the university system.”
Edem Asuquo, engineering student, University of Cross River State: “Students always bear the brunt of strikes. Government should find a way to insure our academic calendar against strikes.”
Iquo Mensah, University of Calabar: “Government should compel universities to properly render accounts of income generated through sundry charges. The level of corruption in the system is quite alarming within the university system and this has been going on over the years. Institutions generate billions of naira annually in sundry charges but this does not match developments in the institutions.
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“The best way to ensure sustainability within the system is accountability. This process can commence by mandating tertiary institutions to publish their financial statements and it will be clear that they have the money to address the needs of lecturers.”
Abimbola Adewuyi Marygold, 200-level Philosophy student, University of Lagos (UNILAG): “I am aware of the face-off between government and ASUU. My advice is that it shouldn’t get to the point of nationwide strike because students are going through a lot in school. Besides, we don’t really need this distraction that might result in disruption in our academic programmes.
“Government should attend to the needs of the lecturers so they can fully concentrate on attending to the academic needs of students in their care. Strike at this moment will be injurious to the mental health of the students. Though, this might be my first experience of ASUU strike, but I have heard horrible stories of the implication to the academic calendar of the university system.”
Ogbonnaya Stella Chidinma, 300-level student of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said: “ASUU members in my school have gone on strike before, but I wasn’t a student in this school that time. I have not experienced any strike, and I don’t hope to experience any.”
Chima Chidiebube Miracle, 400-level student: Rivers State University, Department of Cinematography and Broadcast Studies: “This is the first ASUU strike I will experience if it happens. If ASUU embarks on strike, it won’t be good for the students. It could extend their time in school. A four-year course could turn to a five-year course, while a course of five years could turn to six years. It could also affect the parents in the area of extra expenses.
“FG should be blamed if the university system shuts down. This doesn’t happen in many countries. The federal government should do their best to avert the situation by meeting the demands of ASUU.”
Parents speak too speak
A Lagos trader, Alhaji Tajudeen Alabi, has his son in University of Ilorin: “My son is a final year student. If this face-off is not resolved and the lecturers embark on strike, it will disrupt his graduation and increase my financial commitment to his university education.
“Both parties must find a solution to the face-off. Some of the demands of ASUU are genuine. Government should look into the demands and implement them.”
Mrs. Hembadoon Diaka said: “As a parent, the news of an impending ASUU strike is deeply troubling. My children’s academic journey has already experienced delays due to past strike. Another indefinite disruption will only worsen the situation.
“It affects not just their education but their mental health and future prospects. As a parent, I have emotionally and financially invested in their school fees, accommodation, feeding, and other expenses have already been made with the expectation that the academic calendar would run smoothly. Now, all of that is put at risk.
“The uncertainty also affects family planning. I have to readjust my own work and responsibilities to accommodate their unexpected stay at home. It’s disheartening to see their hopes continually interrupted by avoidable crises.
“My advice To ASUU, your demands are genuine and necessary for the improvement of tertiary education. I urge you to consider alternative methods of negotiation, which most at times don’t work. The strikes are directly punishing the students and their families. Dialogue and peaceful advocacy should always come before strike actions, especially considering the cumulative effect of past disruptions.
“To the Federal Government, I appeal that you treat education as a national priority. Proactive and sincere engagement with ASUU is necessary to avoid strikes. Fulfill previously made agreements and ensure consistent communication to rebuild trust.”
Mrs. Kate Orih: “If they allow the strikes to hold, they are toiling with the future of the children. When they are eager to learn and you put them on a sudden break, it will definitely affect them. Lecturers cannot be working for nothing. They cannot be giving politicians big money and then lecturers who are the ones building people to be who they are ignored. It’s not proper.’’
Eyo David has children in University of Uyo and Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic: “These demands have been there over the years and it’s not funny at all. If you look at these demands, it’s not only in the interests of the union but also benefits students like the issue of improved infrastructure.
“Also the union should also reason with the students who bear the brunt of the dispute. Most times, parents have to pay fees for the time the strike went on and this is double jeopardy for us.”
Idong Inyang with four children in the university said: “ASUU strike is now like a child’s play. The strike does not have weight and Nigerians are not taking them seriously. A strike should be total until issues raised are squarely addressed. It should not be that after a settlement they later call for another strike.
“The union should also be careful with negotiations with the Federal Government because the government will always win. Frequent strikes are very detrimental to the stakeholders particularly parents and children. The union should not take parents and children for granted.”
Johnson Adewale, a civil servant: “If ASUU goes on strike, the implication is very serious. It will disrupt the academic calendar and keep students at home longer than expected, which causes delay in graduation and frustration.
“Some students may even lose interest in schooling, while others might get involved in negative activities because of idleness. Parents also feel the burden because we have to continue spending on our children for a longer period.
“As for who is to be blamed if the university system is shut down, I believe both ASUU and the government share responsibility. Government carries the greater part of the blame.
“They are supposed to honour agreements, provide proper funding, and create a stable environment for education. If they honour their part well, ASUU would not have any reason to embark on a strike.”
Mrs. Princess Comfort Nwachukwu, has a 200-level student, Business Administration, UNILAG: “If ASUU goes on strike, I will be severely affected. I am the one taking responsibility of my son’s education. I don’t know much about the face-off. But from the little I know, I thinks government should be blamed if the university system is shut down because government doesn’t want to implement ASUU’s demands.”
NANS POSITION
NANS President, Olusola Oladoja, said: “NANS recognises the legitimate grievances raised by ASUU, which include the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FG signed agreement, outstanding salary arrears, withheld promotions, and the welfare of retired lecturers.
“While these demands are germane, NANS believes that the path of dialogue must not be abandoned, as any industrial action will inflict irreparable damage on Nigerian students who are always at the receiving end.
“On the other hand, ASUU must also demonstrate patriotism by jettisoning its planned strike and sustaining dialogue with the government. Nigerian students cannot afford another round of avoidable disruption to their academic pursuit.
“FG and ASUU should prioritise the future of Nigerian students, resolve all pending issues through genuine dialogue, and safeguard the stability of the nation’s tertiary education system.”
