Strike: ASUU Faults FG’s Last-Minute Appeal as ‘Too Late’
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has responded sharply to the Federal Government’s recent attempts at appeasement over lingering demands, calling the overtures “too little, too late.” The union says that years of unfulfilled promises, delay tactics, and piecemeal negotiation make any last-minute gesture insufficient to avoid industrial action unless concrete steps are immediately taken.
🔍 What ASUU Is Saying
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In its Ibadan Zone, ASUU (represented by Professor Biodun Olaniran) said that the Federal Government has been “deliberately foot-dragging” on key issues — including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, outstanding salary and promotion arrears, restoration of university autonomy, and payment of withheld allowances.
According to ASUU, there was a draft agreement negotiated in 2021 (under the Nimi Briggs Committee) and the Yayale Ahmed Report of 2025 which addressed many of their demands—but these have not been implemented.
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ASUU faulted the FG’s recent “intervention meeting” and public statements as reactive rather than proactive. The union argues that these last-minute appeals came after long periods of neglect, and that trust has been eroded. (“Our members’ patience is wearing thin… Another strike is looming … the lull was predicated on government promises, many of which remain unfulfilled.”)
⚠ What FG Has Done & Where It Falls Short
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The FG has recently set up committees, held meetings, and made budgetary provisions. For example, government officials say there is a ₦200 billion intervention being planned to revitalize universities.
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However, ASUU insists that these measures are either late in coming or partial. Many of the agreed items from previous negotiations are still pending execution: arrears not cleared, equipment not delivered, infrastructure inadequate.
🗓 Timeline & Context
| Period | Key Events / Commitments |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Draft agreement by Nimi Briggs Committee negotiated; expectations raised. |
| Feb 2025 | Yayale Ahmed Report submitted, addressing many contentious issues. |
| Mid-2025 | ASUU zones keep issuing press statements warning of crisis, highlighting slow or no implementation. |
| Recently | FG appeal / meetings; ASUU response that it's too late unless action starts immediately. |
✅ Implications & What Needs to Happen
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Credibility at stake: Continued delays hurt FG’s credibility. ASUU members and students alike say past failures make promises less believable.
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Risk of fresh strike: ASUU is signaling industrial unrest is increasingly likely unless demands are met in full or with verifiable, written commitment and timelines.
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Student impact: Further delay means more disruption in academic calendars, loss of time for students, deferred graduations, etc.
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Systemic reforms needed: Beyond promises, there's need for structural and legislative reforms—budgetary allocation, university autonomy, transparent payment systems, etc.
👉 Conclusion
ASUU sees the FG’s recent appeal as something of a rescue act — not the cure. Without immediate, visible, and enforceable action, the union believes the only remaining recourse may be industrial action. Time for meeting gestures has largely passed; what is needed now is delivery.
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