By Muhammad Muntazar
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared it is being “pushed to the wall” and may initiate industrial action if the Federal Government fails to address long-standing grievances within Nigeria’s university system.
ASUU President Prof. Christopher Piwuna issued the warning during a press conference at the University of Jos, criticizing the government’s proposed Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF) loan scheme as a “poison chalice” that would further indebt already underpaid lecturers.
The union’s comprehensive list of grievances includes government inaction on the Yayale Ahmed Report submitted in February 2025, alleged violation of International Labour Organisation conventions on collective bargaining, the problematic proliferation of universities (now totaling 339 institutions) without adequate funding or facilities, and a worsening pension crisis that leaves retired professors with as little as ₦150,000 monthly.
The union particularly condemned the contributory pension scheme’s devastating impact on retirees, noting many struggle with medical costs and family support on inadequate pensions.
“Trust has been destroyed by the government. It is therefore up to them to regain it to avert any strike,” Piwuna stated, highlighting two years of unfulfilled promises.
The union specifically demands implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of outstanding salary arrears, and concrete university revitalization measures.
“Those who fought for our universities are treated with disdain,” Piwuna lamented regarding the pension situation.
While acknowledging a scheduled government meeting on August 28, ASUU announced plans for nationwide campus rallies next week as a preliminary warning.