The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning that 2025 could see a prolonged confrontation with the Federal Government if substantial efforts are not made to address long-standing issues plaguing Nigeria’s university system.
The warning follows what the union describes as a year of "window-dressing" and superficial measures in 2024.
In a statement released Wednesday, ASUU’s Ibadan chapter Chairman, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, criticized the Federal Government for failing to resolve key issues despite the union’s sacrifices to maintain an uninterrupted academic calendar last year.
“The uninterrupted academic calendar in 2024 was a result of the sacrifice of the union, not the government addressing its impending issues,” he stated.
ASUU highlighted several unresolved issues that could define its relationship with the government in 2025. The union expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to fulfill commitments outlined in the FGN-ASUU Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) of 2012, 2013, and the Memorandum of Action (MoA) of 2017.
It also called for the release of three and a half months’ withheld salaries and third-party deductions, such as loan repayments and retirement contributions. Additionally, the union demanded immediate payment of arrears for Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).
Concerns were raised over the unchecked creation of new public universities without adequate funding and the continued use of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) instead of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).
ASUU reiterated its demand for the signing of the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiated draft agreement to address salary disparities. The union condemned the 2025 budgetary allocation to education, which stands at N3.52 trillion—approximately 7% of the total N47.90 trillion budget.
This figure falls significantly below the 15%-20% benchmark recommended by UNESCO and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) for underdeveloped countries.
Furthermore, ASUU rejected proposed tax reform bills aimed at replacing the education tax with a "development levy," arguing that this would dismantle the revenue stream of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which has been pivotal in funding infrastructure development in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
ASUU warned that the Federal Government’s posture could lead to another “long-drawn confrontation,” potentially resulting in disruptions to the academic calendar. Prof. Akinwole called on the government to prioritize education by addressing the high rate of out-of-school children, restoring adequate funding for public universities, and enhancing the welfare of education sector workers.
The statement also highlighted global best practices, urging Nigeria to emulate countries like Germany, where education is free and adequately funded. “Instead of borrowing bad examples from capitalist countries, we should focus on policies that guarantee equitable access to education,” Akinwole emphasized.
ASUU encouraged its members to remain vigilant and united in preparation for potential struggles in 2025. “For a people united can never be defeated,” the statement concluded.
The warning signals a turbulent year ahead for Nigeria’s education sector unless swift and tangible measures are taken to address the issues outlined by ASUU.
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