ASUU threatens strike at ESUT over non-implementation of 2025 agreement
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
News
Named sources
New plan
- The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened an indefinite strike at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) if the state government fails to implement the 2025 agreement on lecturer remuneration by the end of July.
- ASUU stated that ESUT lecturers are currently the lowest paid among public universities in the country, impacting morale and recruitment.
- The union criticized the Enugu State Government for delaying implementation, noting that other universities in the zone and states with lower allocations have already complied.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nsukka Zone, has issued a stern warning to the Enugu State Government, threatening an indefinite strike at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). The union demands the full implementation of the 2025 ASUU/Federal Government agreement concerning lecturers' remuneration by the end of July. Failure to comply, including the payment of arrears dating back to January 2026, will trigger the industrial action.
We wish to bring to the knowledge of the public that if, by the end of July 2026, the Enugu State Government fails to commence the implementation of the 2025 Agreement, the branch will have no option than to embark on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike.
During a press conference held at the university campus, Prof. Christian Opata, the Nsukka Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, highlighted the critical situation faced by ESUT lecturers. He stated that they are currently the lowest-paid academics among public universities nationwide, a situation that severely affects staff morale and the institution's capacity to attract and retain qualified faculty. Opata emphasized that the proposed strike would be "indefinite, comprehensive and total" if the agreement is not implemented.
The implementation should also include the arrears dating back to January 2026, as obtains in other universities.
Opata expressed concern that ESUT remains the sole university within the ASUU Nsukka Zone yet to implement the agreement, which officially took effect in January 2026 after its unveiling on January 14, 2026. The National Universities Commission had communicated the agreement to all state governments, and vice-chancellors were expected to transmit it to their respective governments for action. The zone includes several other universities, such as Benue State University and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The logic of paucity of funds will not fly this time around, as reports from both the National Bureau of Statistics and the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee indicate that Enugu State, in the first quarter of 2026, received substantial allocations from the Federation Account.
The ASUU coordinator dismissed claims of inadequate funding as an excuse for the delay. He cited revenue figures from the National Bureau of Statistics and the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee, indicating that Enugu State received substantial allocations in the first quarter of 2026. Opata pointed out that states like Bauchi and Ogun, which received less funding than Enugu, have already begun implementing the agreement, questioning the logic behind ESUT's continued non-compliance.
If Bauchi and Ogun states that received less compared to Enugu are implementing the agre
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
