The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has cautioned that public universities across Nigeria may be forced into a total shutdown as the one-month ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government (FG) draws to an end next week. The warning comes amid growing frustration within the union over what it describes as the government’s failure to implement long-standing agreements and address the deteriorating conditions of learning in public institutions.
The latest warning was issued by the Kano Zone of ASUU, which accused the Federal Government of ignoring critical issues affecting the nation’s tertiary education sector. According to a report by Daily Trust, the union stated that its patience was wearing thin after consistently engaging the government without tangible results. The ultimatum, ASUU said, was meant to give authorities ample time to act, but “virtually nothing has changed.”
Similarly, reports from Champion News indicate that ASUU branches nationwide are already mobilising members in anticipation of a possible industrial action. Sources within the union revealed that several meetings held this week showed a strong inclination toward a full-scale shutdown if the government continues to delay action on the demands. Many lecturers reportedly believe that only decisive action will compel the government to take the issues seriously.
ASUU’s grievances include the refusal of the Federal Government to fully honour the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, the stalled release of revitalisation funds for public universities, unpaid academic earned allowances, and concerns surrounding the introduction of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). The union insists that these factors have severely undermined the quality of education and the welfare of its members across campuses nationwide.
In addition to welfare issues, the union has raised alarm over the increasing decay in infrastructure in public universities. Lecturers say inadequate funding has left campuses with obsolete laboratory facilities, overcrowded classrooms, and insufficient hostels for the rapidly growing student population. According to The Whistler, ASUU noted that Nigeria risks further decline in global academic competitiveness if urgent steps are not taken.
The union’s warning has sparked concern among students and parents, many of whom fear renewed disruption following the lengthy ASUU strikes recorded in previous years. Analysts point to the union’s history of prolonged industrial actions, noting that unresolved negotiations with the Federal Government have remained a recurring trigger for nationwide shutdowns. The Guardian recently highlighted that ASUU has embarked on more than 18 strikes in the last 26 years, underscoring the persistent instability in the academic calendar.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has not issued any fresh statement addressing the union’s latest concerns, further heightening anxiety within the education sector. Officials of the Ministry of Education have previously stated that they are committed to reforming the system, but stakeholders argue that little progress has been made to back these assurances.
As the ultimatum enters its final week, all eyes are now on the Federal Government to take concrete steps to avert another crippling shutdown of public universities. ASUU says the next move rests entirely with the government, adding that failure to act before the deadline would leave the union with “no option but to activate its national strike machinery.”
