The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared strikes at several state-owned universities across Nigeria, citing non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement. The agreement, which includes a 40 percent increase in lecturers' salaries, has been implemented by the Federal Government but not by many state governments. This has led to a resurgence of strikes, similar to those experienced in the past. The strikes have affected universities in Lagos, Kaduna, Plateau, Ondo, and Taraba states.
The ASUU chapters of Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, and Lagos State University of Education recently declared a strike following the breakdown in negotiations with the Lagos State government. The union had given a 14-day notice before embarking on the strike. In Kaduna, the ASUU state chapter at Kaduna State University ended its strike after Governor Uba Sani approved the implementation of the agreement from October 1.
In Plateau State, the ASUU chapter of Plateau State University terminated its strike on September 16 after the state government agreed to implement its six-point demand. However, lecturers at the three state-owned universities in Ondo State are still on strike over the non-implementation of the FGN-ASUU pact. The ASUU chapter of Taraba State University issued a 14-day ultimatum to the state government to implement the agreement or face a strike.
The resurgence of strikes at state-owned universities has exposed Nigeria's flawed federalism. While the Federal Government has implemented the agreement, many state governments are delaying implementation. The Federal Government's influence over state governments in the funding and administration of universities has been criticized. Private universities, which operate independently and self-fund, do not experience such strikes.
There are currently 69 state-owned universities in Nigeria, with some states having more than three universities. The establishment of multiple universities without proper preparation for funding, staffing, and infrastructure has led to financial and infrastructure challenges. The National Universities Commission should thoroughly scrutinize bids to establish universities to ensure they can operate effectively.
The 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement includes an annual credit allowance of N1.8 million for professors and between N840,000 and N870,000 per annum for academic readers, as well as enhanced pensions. The agreement was reached to address the lingering issues in the public university system. President Bola Tinubu's administration had pledged to end lecturers' strikes that had plagued the public university system.
The Webometrics ranking recently released showed that the best Nigerian university is the University of Ibadan, ranked 1,291 in the world, followed by the University of Lagos (1,355) and the University of Nigeria (1,397). The ranking highlights the challenges facing Nigeria's public universities. State governments are urged to address the underlying issues to prevent further disruptions to the academic calendar.
Key points
- State governments are delaying implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement, leading to a resurgence of strikes at state-owned universities.
- The Federal Government's influence over state governments in the funding and administration of universities has been criticized.
- Nigeria has 69 state-owned universities, with some states having more than three universities, leading to financial and infrastructure challenges.
