ASUU raises fresh strike threat in Lagos, Gombe, Plateau

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a warning of impending industrial unrest in state-owned universities, citing the failure of several governors to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement concerning salaries and welfare. The union specifically highlighted growing discontent among lecturers in Lagos, Gombe, and Plateau states, cautioning that continued delays could trigger avoidable strikes and disrupt academic activities.

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The non-implementation of the agreement being experienced by our members has left academic staff in the Lagos State-owned universities feeling neglected, undervalued, and increasingly uncertain about the government’s commitment to their welfare.

Institutions potentially affected include Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Education, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Gombe State University, and Plateau State University. ASUU leaders noted that despite participating in the negotiations that led to the agreement signed on December 23, 2025, many state governments have yet to implement its provisions, even six months after it took effect on January 1, 2026.

The 2025 agreement, which replaced the protracted 2009 pact, includes a significant 40 percent salary increase for lecturers and introduces the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance to support publication and research costs. ASUU warned that if urgent action is not taken, more state universities could face industrial disputes arising from the non-implementation of this agreement.

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To our utter disappointment, the Lagos State Government appears to be playing the ostrich on this matter.

In Lagos, ASUU specifically called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently implement the 2025 agreement to avert a fresh industrial crisis that could shut down LASU, LASUED, and LASUSTECH. ASUU Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Adesola Nassir, stated at a press conference that six months of discussions with state government representatives have yielded "no concrete results." Nassir expressed that the non-implementation leaves academic staff feeling neglected and uncertain about the government's commitment to their welfare. He argued that Nigeria operates a "one university system" and described the reluctance of state governments to adopt the new ASUU/FG agreement as "totally unacceptable."

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Nigeria operates “one university system,” describing the reluctance of state governments to implement the new ASUU/FG agreement as “totally unacceptable.”