The Ibadan Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday cautioned that another round of industrial action may be inevitable if the government fails to act swiftly.

The warning was issued by the Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Biodun Olaniran, during a press conference at the University of Ibadan ASUU Secretariat, Oyo State.

Olaniran explained that the relative calm in Nigerian universities in recent months had been sustained by the union’s patience and hope that the government would fulfil its promises.

“ASUU members are increasingly frustrated with the government’s delay tactics, the so-called ‘keep them talking’ syndrome.
“Even a goat, when pushed to the wall, will eventually react,” he said.

He outlined unresolved demands, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, adequate and sustainable funding for universities, restoration of university autonomy, settlement of withheld salaries, unpaid promotion arrears, and the integration of Earned Academic Allowance into lecturers’ pay.

The coordinator noted that although a draft agreement was reached in 2021 with the government’s renegotiation committee, authorities have refused to sign or implement it.

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He also lamented that the Yayale Ahmed report, submitted in February 2025 and addressing all contentious issues, has been ignored.

On funding, ASUU criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for allocating only seven per cent of the 2025 national budget to education far below the UNESCO benchmark of 15–26 per cent.

“Our universities are plagued by underfunding, decaying infrastructure, poorly equipped laboratories, and deplorable hostels.
“None of our public universities rank among the top 1,000 globally,” he lamented.

The union further condemned what it described as the victimisation of its members at Lagos State University, Kogi State University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, where union leaders face “trumped-up charges” and illegal withholding of salaries.

On autonomy, ASUU decried the “unlawful dissolution” of governing councils, the imposition of political appointees, and the weakening of Senate powers through the National Universities Commission’s centralised curriculum.

The union also reiterated its demand for the release of the three-and-a-half months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 strike, alongside arrears from the 25–35 per cent wage award promised but not implemented.

It described the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as “fraudulent,” pointing to unremitted third-party deductions and over four years of unpaid promotion arrears in several universities.

“We are peace-loving, but we will not continue to watch our members’ welfare sacrificed to the government’s delay tactics.

“Another crisis in the university system can only be prevented if the Federal Government honours its commitments,” Olaniran warned.

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