🤠 BOOM🔥🔥ASUU NEC SLAMS FG OVER RENEGOTIATION DELAY.

                     1 minutes read ⏱️ 12:04pm

BY LEE MIN HO 🤠 

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed deep concern over the Federal Government’s inconsistent approach to ongoing negotiations, warning that the situation could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s education sector.

At its recent meeting held on November 8–9, 2025, at Taraba State University, Jalingo, ASUU’s NEC reviewed the progress of talks with the government’s negotiating team and noted with disappointment the slow pace and lack of commitment being demonstrated in the renegotiation process. The union recalled its emergency session on October 21, 2025, where it resolved to suspend its warning strike in good faith, despite the government’s grossly insufficient offers, as a gesture of respect for the overwhelming goodwill shown by students, parents, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the media, and other Nigerians.

However, ASUU lamented that progress since the suspension of the strike has been unimpressive. “It is now the responsibility of the government to take advantage of this opportunity to quickly resolve all outstanding issues in order to keep our children in school,” the union stated. The NEC expressed regret that the government continues to treat education as a commercial venture rather than a social good essential for sustainable national development.

ASUU rejected the proposed salary increment presented by government negotiators, describing it as “a mere drop in the ocean” incapable of reversing the brain drain syndrome that has plagued the university system for decades. While acknowledging modest progress in non-monetary aspects of the talks, ASUU insisted that the salary and conditions of service components remain critical and must be addressed with urgency and sincerity.

The union condemned what it described as misrepresentation by certain government functionaries regarding the negotiation outcomes and implementation of agreements, cautioning that piecemeal gestures should not be presented as major achievements. “Government’s objective must not be to win the narrative but to solve the problems,” ASUU stated, warning that the current communication strategy could undermine trust and derail the entire renegotiation process.

ASUU urged the government to use the remaining days of the one-month window judiciously to achieve a holistic resolution that uplifts the welfare of Nigerian academics. The union emphasized that investing in education remains the most effective way to secure the nation’s future, describing as “unacceptable” the stagnant condition of academics and university infrastructure despite significant increases in government revenue.

Citing data from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), ASUU noted that state governments received ₦3.92 trillion in 2022 and ₦5.81 trillion in 2024, representing a 62% increase, while federal allocations rose from ₦3.42 trillion in 2022 to ₦4.65 trillion in 2024, a 70% increase. “Contrary to the claim of paucity of funds, the figures clearly show that the problem is not economic but political, a lack of will to prioritize education,” the union stated.

ASUU renewed its appeal to traditional rulers, labour unions, students, civil society groups, and all well-meaning Nigerians to continue urging the government to act responsibly and grant university lecturers a living wage. “The surest way to protect the future of our country is to invest in education,” ASUU concluded.

Signed

Prof. Chris Piwuna

President, ASUU.

© LEE MIN HO 🤠

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