What is the Reason for the ASUU Strike?

The ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) strike is primarily due to unresolved issues between ASUU and the Nigerian Federal Government. Key reasons include poor staff welfare, unpaid salary arrears, underfunding of public universities, incomplete agreements from previous memoranda, and dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of negotiations, which ASUU perceives as insincere and uncommitted. The union issued a two-week ultimatum to the government to address these concerns, and with no substantial government action, ASUU proceeded to declare a warning strike set to start on October 13, 2025.

The government has made some efforts to negotiate and is reportedly preparing a counter-offer to address ASUU’s demands, with promises to improve funding, pay arrears by 2026, and implement wage awards and allowances for academic staff. However, ASUU has expressed distrust towards the government’s promises due to past experiences of unfulfilled agreements.

Contents

1 Main Reasons for ASUU Strike
2 What Specific Demands did ASUU List in their Latest Ultimatum
3 Which Government Responses have ASUU Rejected so Far
4 What Negotiation Steps have Resolved Past ASUU Strikes

Main Reasons for ASUU Strike

The main reasons for the ASUU strike stem from a combination of long-standing unresolved issues with the Nigerian Federal Government, including unpaid salary and promotion arrears, poor funding leading to infrastructure decay, and inadequate facilities in public universities. The union is also deeply dissatisfied with the government’s failure to genuinely implement previous agreements, which has eroded trust and worsened working conditions and welfare for both academic and non-academic staff. Furthermore, the persistent failure to deliver promised wage increases and allowances has intensified frustrations, making strikes a last resort to compel the government to honor its commitments and safeguard the quality and future of Nigerian higher education. Here are the main reasons for the ASUU strike in Nigeria:

1. Unpaid salary and promotion arrears accumulated over time

The cause of the ASUU strike stemming from unpaid salary and promotion arrears accumulated over time relates deeply to the frustration and hardship faced by academic staff in Nigerian universities. Over the years, lecturers and other university workers have experienced prolonged delays in receiving their rightful salary increments and promotions, some of which have been pending for several years. These arrears represent unpaid portions of salary increments and delayed career advancement that directly affect their financial stability and morale.

This situation is compounded by the government’s failure to fully implement previous agreements that promised timely payment of these arrears. Staff members often endure long periods without pay adjustments or promotions while still being expected to maintain high standards of teaching and research. The unpaid dues not only create economic difficulties for university workers but also diminish their motivation and commitment to academic duties. Consequently, ASUU sees the resolution of these arrears as a fundamental issue that must be addressed for the union to call off strike actions and resume academic activities.

Moreover, salary and promotion arrears are symbolic of wider systemic neglect and chronic underfunding of the public university system, which has led to deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate research funding, and poor working conditions, further justifying their insistence for government action before ending strikes. The unresolved financial grievances signify broken trust and ignite strikes as a last resort to pressure the government to honor its obligations.

2. Poor funding of universities leading to infrastructure decay and inadequate facilities

Poor funding of Nigerian universities is a fundamental cause of infrastructure decay and inadequate facilities, which in turn triggers ASUU strikes. Over many years, insufficient budgetary allocations have led to the deterioration of essential infrastructure such as lecture halls, laboratories, hostels, and administrative buildings. This chronic underfunding means that necessary repairs, maintenance, and upgrades are rarely carried out, leaving many campuses in a state of disrepair with broken-down facilities and outdated equipment.

Furthermore, the lack of investment affects crucial aspects like potable water supply, sanitation systems, electricity, and student accommodation, making the academic environment unhealthy and less conducive to learning and research. Inadequate funding is often worsened by factors like corruption, inflation, and poor financial planning, which divert or reduce the resources that should be used for the universities’ upkeep.

The resultant decay negatively impacts the quality of education delivered, leading to overcrowded and poorly equipped classrooms, obsolete laboratory equipment, insufficient teaching materials, and severely limited research capabilities. The frustration over these conditions is a major motivation for ASUU strikes, as academic staff demand proper funding to restore and sustain university infrastructure, thereby improving the overall academic environment and quality of education. The strikes are a response to a systemic neglect that hampers the universities’ ability to fulfill their educational mandate.

3. Lack of genuine government commitment to previous agreements

The lack of genuine government commitment to previous agreements is a core reason for the ASUU strike because it has repeatedly undermined trust and prolonged unresolved issues. Over many years, ASUU and the government have entered into agreements, notably the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, which laid out clear terms regarding university funding, conditions of service, infrastructure development, and staff welfare. However, successive governments have failed to fully implement these agreements, often renegotiating or setting up new committees without delivering concrete results.

This pattern of delay and non-implementation frustrates ASUU members, who feel the government treats the negotiation processes as mere formalities without genuine intent to honor commitments. These repeated broken promises have led to a deep distrust of the government’s willingness to improve the conditions of lecturers and universities. The union sees the failure to meet past obligations as a fundamental breach, which justifies strikes as the only viable means to pressure the government to act responsibly.

Additionally, the government’s tendency to inaugurate new committees instead of acting promptly on negotiated agreements prolongs the crisis, signaling a lack of seriousness and urgency. For ASUU, sustainable peace and productivity in Nigerian universities require honest political will and demonstrated adherence to agreements rather than mere assurances. Until these conditions are met, strikes remain a tool for forcing government accountability and action on long-standing unresolved disputes.

4. Dissatisfaction with working conditions and welfare of academic and non-academic staff

The dissatisfaction with working conditions and welfare of academic and non-academic staff is a significant reason for the ASUU strike because the current environment in Nigerian universities is largely unfavorable for effective teaching, research, and learning. Many academic staff face poor remuneration, inadequate welfare packages, and delayed promotions, which lead to low morale and diminished motivation. The facilities and tools they need for research and teaching are often outdated or insufficient, and this scarcity hampers their ability to perform optimally.

Additionally, non-academic staff also experience poor working conditions, which affects the overall functioning of universities. When staff welfare is neglected, including issues like unpaid allowances and lack of support services, it breeds frustration and a sense of neglect among employees.

Moreover, prolonged strike actions themselves exacerbate these challenges by disrupting academic calendars and creating pressure to rush academic programs when universities resume, further reducing the quality of education. The strikes, therefore, are seen by ASUU as a last resort measure to compel the government to address these workplace grievances and improve the standards of welfare and working conditions, which are essential for sustaining a quality academic environment and promoting staff productivity.

5. Failure to implement wage increases and allowances promised earlier

The failure to implement wage increases and allowances promised earlier by the government contributes heavily to the ASUU strike because it directly impacts the livelihood and morale of academic staff. Despite several agreements and reports, including the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement and the Yayale Ahmed report, the government has consistently delayed or neglected the full implementation of recommended salary increments, earned academic allowances, and promotion arrears.

This failure means that lecturers endure prolonged financial hardship, with stagnant salaries that have not kept pace with inflation or the rising cost of living. Many lecturers express frustration at being unable to adequately support their families and meet basic needs, often resorting to borrowing to survive. The non-payment or partial payment of earned academic allowances adds to the financial strain and is perceived as a deliberate government insensitivity to the welfare of university staff.

Furthermore, the government’s introduction of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for salary payment, which ASUU rejects, complicates the situation and heightens tensions. The union argues that the wage and allowance issues are fundamental rights and should be implemented fully and transparently rather than deferred or disguised by administrative changes.

In sum, the continuous postponement of wage increases and unpaid allowances is seen by ASUU as a breach of trust and respect, leaving strikes as the only effective recourse to compel the government to honor its commitments and improve the welfare of academic workers.

What Specific Demands did ASUU List in their Latest Ultimatum

In their latest ultimatum, ASUU demanded a full re-negotiation and implementation of the 2009 agreement between the union and the government, emphasizing the need for adequate and sustainable funding for public universities to revive the educational sector. They highlighted the urgent requirement to revitalize university infrastructure and improve academic facilities. Additionally, ASUU called for the government to address issues of alleged victimization of union members at some universities, particularly Lagos State University, Kogi State University, and the Federal University of Technology Owerri. The union also stressed the importance of clearing unpaid salary arrears, which range from 25% to 35%, and rectifying the prolonged delays in academic staff promotions that have persisted for over four years.

Moreover, ASUU insisted the government recover and remit third-party deductions that have not been properly transmitted. The union warned that if these demands were not met within the stipulated ultimatum period, it would result in the commencement of an indefinite strike, citing past experiences of unfulfilled government promises that foster distrust.

In summary, the specific demands listed by ASUU in their latest 14-day ultimatum to the Nigerian Federal Government include:

Re-negotiation and full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
Adequate and sustainable funding for public universities to revitalize the sector.
Revitalization of university infrastructure and facilities to improve the academic environment.
Addressing alleged victimisation of union members at certain universities (Lagos State University, Kogi State University, Federal University of Technology Owerri).
Payment of unpaid salary arrears ranging from 25% to 35%.
Resolution of delays in the promotion of academic staff, which has been pending for over four years.
Recovery of unremitted third-party deductions by the government.

ASUU warned that failure by the government to act on these demands within the ultimatum period would trigger an indefinite strike. The union has expressed distrust toward government promises due to previous unfulfilled agreements and inadequate responses.

Which Government Responses have ASUU Rejected so Far

ASUU has rejected several government responses, most notably the Federal Government’s last-minute appeal to halt the planned strike, describing the intervention as too late and insincere. The union criticized the Ministry of Education for habitual delays and a lack of genuine effort in addressing their long-standing demands. ASUU noted that after granting the government a three-week window to address grievances, the government failed to communicate or take meaningful action within that period. The union president expressed distrust due to past experiences where government promises were not fulfilled and accused the government of treating negotiations like a game. ASUU insisted that the government must demonstrate genuine commitment before any trust can be rebuilt.

Additionally, ASUU outrightly rejected the federal government’s proposed loan scheme for university workers, arguing that loans are an inappropriate response given the unresolved welfare crisis. They insisted that the government should instead pay all outstanding financial obligations, such as withheld salaries, academic allowances, and promotion arrears, rather than offering loans that would increase workers’ financial burdens. The union also opposed the diversion of TETFund resources to finance the loan scheme, emphasizing that such funds are meant specifically for infrastructure, research, and training support in tertiary institutions.

ASUU also rejects the use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for paying members because the union argues that it was not adequately consulted or convinced of the system’s functionality before implementation, and the system does not align with the union’s requirements.

In summary, ASUU has rejected the government’s late appeals, the loan scheme as a welfare solution, and the payroll system imposed without sufficient negotiation and agreement.

What Negotiation Steps have Resolved Past ASUU Strikes

Past ASUU strikes have been resolved through a series of structured negotiation steps involving dialogue, government intervention, and sometimes judicial orders. Key steps include extended negotiation sessions between ASUU and the Federal Government, often mediated or supported by third-party interventions such as the National Industrial Court or legislative leaders like the Speaker of the House of Representatives. These talks focus on addressing ASUU’s key demands, including salary arrears, staff welfare, university funding, and implementation of agreements such as the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.

In particular, one resolution involved the suspension of an eight-month strike after the National Industrial Court ordered ASUU to resume work pending full determination of dispute matters, alongside ongoing negotiations. The intervention by governmental and parliamentary leaders helped facilitate progress toward agreements, including commitments to pay arrears, integrate payment systems suitable to ASUU, and release funds for university revitalization projects.

More recent efforts to avert strike actions have included constituting expanded negotiation committees tasked with fast-tracking agreements on unresolved issues like the conditions of service, academic promotions, allowances, and infrastructural funding. The federal government has also made commitments to phased payments of outstanding arrears and staff welfare improvements, emphasizing sustained dialogue rather than immediate strike actions.

Overall, resolution steps emphasize patience, continuous dialogue, legal mediation when necessary, government demonstration of commitment through concrete actions, and involvement of multiple stakeholders to restore trust and reconcile differences. Possible Solutions to have ASUU Strikes Resolved Include:

The government needs to show sincerity and commitment in implementing agreed packages, including prompt payment of arrears and adequate funding for universities.
Enactment of legally binding agreements to ensure government accountability and reduce frequent strike actions.
Establishment of a sustainable funding model for public universities that guarantees consistent development and staff welfare.
Greater involvement of key government officials like the Minister of Education in negotiations to enhance trust and effectiveness.
Promote continuous dialogue and transparent communication between ASUU and the government to rebuild confidence.

In summary, the ASUU strike revolves around longstanding disputes about financial and welfare issues, which the government and ASUU have failed to fully resolve. A durable solution requires honest commitment, better funding, legal safeguards, and improved communication between both parties.