The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday organized coordinated protests across universities nationwide to press the Federal Government on long-standing demands, just two days before a critical meeting scheduled for Thursday in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

From Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife to Federal University of Lafia, University of Ilorin, University of Calabar, Abia State University, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Federal University of Technology Akure, Plateau State University, University of Maiduguri, and Osun State University, lecturers took to the streets with placards, chanting solidarity songs and warning that a strike could be imminent if their grievances were ignored.

The protesters’ demands were consistent across campuses, including the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement, release of three and a half months’ withheld salaries, payment of 25–35 percent outstanding salary arrears, promotion arrears, revitalisation of universities, rejection of the government’s proposed tertiary institution staff loan scheme, and adoption of UTAS instead of IPPIS to protect university autonomy.

At Obafemi Awolowo University, ASUU Chairperson Prof. Tony Odiwe lamented that lecturers had remained on the same salary scale since 2009 and accused the government of deliberately delaying the report of the Yayale Ahmed renegotiation committee submitted in February 2025. He cautioned that the government would bear responsibility if industrial peace on campuses collapsed.

Similarly, ASUU’s Akure Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Adeola Egbedokun, said at FUOYE that academics’ patience had reached its limit. “Our members teach on empty stomachs, live in debt, and can no longer afford basic needs. If the government chooses provocation over responsibility, it alone must bear the consequences,” he stated.

In Lafia, ASUU Branch Chair Sunday Orinya accused the government of deceit and neglect, highlighting the hardships that have led to the deaths of lecturers, and reiterated calls for withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and proper funding of universities.

At Plateau State University, the protest included participation from the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shedrack Best, and the National President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, as lecturers voiced concerns over poor salaries, unpaid allowances, and the imposition of IPPIS, warning that university autonomy was under threat.

In Sokoto, members from three universities protested, with UDUS Chairman Prof. Nurudeen Almustapha demanding immediate implementation of the Yayale Ahmed report and describing the government’s loan scheme as a “poisoned chalice.” At the University of Ilorin, placards read “University workers are not slaves” and “Honour your agreement with ASUU,” with Branch Chair Dr. Alex Akanmu stressing that failure to implement agreements had left lecturers impoverished and jeopardized the university system.

At FUTA in Akure, ASUU Chair Prof. Pius Mogaji criticized the government’s “reckless indifference” and warned that “all options remain on the table.” At UNICAL, Branch Chair Peter Ubi accused the government of eroding trust and driving lecturers into debt, while in Maiduguri, members protested poor retirement benefits, unpaid arrears, and the renaming of the university without consultation.

Lecturers at Abia State University in Umuahia protested unpaid salaries and the government loan scheme, and at UNIOSUN, Chair Dr. Wende Olaosebikan criticized the non-payment of salary increments and alleged victimization of staff. Across all campuses, ASUU emphasized that failure by the Federal Government to take decisive action during Thursday’s meeting could trigger another nationwide strike, ending the fragile calm that currently prevails on university campuses.