ASUU Warns FG: Inconsistent Talks Threaten Future Of Nigeria’s Education Sector

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed deep concern over what it described as the federal government’s inconsistent and sluggish approach to ongoing negotiations, warning that the situation could have “grievous consequences” for Nigeria’s education sector.

Meeting at Taraba State University, Jalingo, between November 8 and 9, 2025, ASUU’s NEC reviewed the progress of discussions with government representatives and lamented the “lack of seriousness and commitment” shown in the renegotiation process.

In a statement signed by ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, the union recalled that it had suspended its warning strike on October 21, 2025, as a gesture of goodwill — in response to appeals from students, parents, the NLC, the media, and concerned Nigerians — despite what it termed as the government’s “grossly insufficient offers.”

ASUU explained that the decision was made in expectation that the government would use the one-month window to conclude negotiations meaningfully, but said progress since then had been disappointing.

“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 statement read.

The union criticised the federal government for treating education as a commercial venture rather than a social investment vital for national development. It rejected the proposed salary increment, describing it as “a mere drop in the ocean” incapable of curbing the persistent brain drain in the university system.

While acknowledging minor progress in non-monetary areas, ASUU insisted that salaries and conditions of service remain central to restoring stability in the academic sector. The union also condemned misleading public statements by some government officials regarding negotiation outcomes, saying such tactics could undermine trust and derail the peace process.

“Government’s objective must not be to win the narrative but to solve the problems,” ASUU cautioned.

The NEC also dismissed piecemeal gestures — such as part payment of promotion arrears and release of third-party deductions — as inadequate, urging the government to focus instead on a comprehensive resolution.

ASUU argued that Nigeria’s challenge is not lack of resources but failure to prioritise education, citing data from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) showing significant increases in federal and state revenues between 2022 and 2024.

“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 said.

Reaffirming that “the surest way to protect the future of our country is to invest in education,” ASUU appealed to traditional rulers, labour unions, students, and civil society groups to keep pressuring the government to act responsibly and grant university lecturers a living wage.