Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Resists Federal Government's Loan Program, Warns of Future Demonstrations

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again taken a stand against the Federal Government of Nigeria, highlighting unresolved issues that have been lingering for years. The key points of contention stem from the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement and include renegotiation and implementation, sustainable funding, welfare of academic staff, victimization, lack of government response to negotiated reports, rejection of alternative government initiatives, and university autonomy.

ASUU is demanding a swift conclusion and implementation of the long-standing renegotiation of the FGN-ASUU agreement, which has been delayed for years despite repeated strike actions[1][2][3][5]. The union is also protesting the government's chronic underfunding of the education sector, which has led to infrastructural decay and academic decline[1][3][5].

The welfare of academic staff is another major concern, with unpaid salaries, long-standing salary arrears, lack of wage increases, unpaid promotion arrears, and outstanding allowances being the primary issues[2][4]. For instance, Ambrose Alli University staff claim salary arrears up to 29 months, unpaid 13th month salaries, and other allowances remain unsettled.

ASUU has also highlighted issues of victimization of some academic colleagues in certain universities as part of the conflict[1]. Furthermore, the union has expressed dissatisfaction with the government's lack of response to negotiated reports, such as the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation report submitted in February 2025, which remains unaddressed by the government[2][3].

ASUU has also rejected certain government schemes like the Tertiary Institutions Support Stabilization Fund (TISSF), which they regard as insufficient or a distraction from the core issues[3]. In response, the union has resolved to organize protests across all its branches simultaneously on a fixed date, with press conferences to be held in all branches as part of the protest activities. The date for the protests and press conferences will be communicated in due course.

ASUU has also made it clear that it does not wish to be a guarantor for loans and has demanded to be delisted from the process. The union maintains that the government should pay its members' withheld salaries instead of introducing loan schemes.

The unveiling of the TITAS platform is a related development to the ongoing dispute between ASUU and the government. The Tertiary Institutions Transparency and Accountability Solution (TITAS) is a new accountability platform planned by ASUU, which is said to be at an advanced stage and has garnered interest from many universities.

The Nigerian Government has launched a zero-interest loan scheme called the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF) for academic and non-academic staff of tertiary institutions, with eligibility requirements including at least five years left before retirement and membership of recognized staff associations such as ASUU, SSANU, and NASU. However, ASUU has rejected its inclusion in this fund.

The protests are in response to the slow pace of the government in addressing the issues in contention, as discussed by the National Executive Council (NEC). ASUU described the government's move as an attempt to "conscript the union as guarantor of loans it knows nothing about."

The ongoing disputes between ASUU and the Federal Government underscore the need for swift action to revive and adequately fund Nigerian tertiary education. It is hoped that both parties will find a resolution soon to prevent further disruptions to university activities.

[1] ASUU Strike: ASUU lists unresolved disputes with government. (n.d.). Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/02/asuu-strike-asuu-lists-unresolved-disputes-with-government/

[2] ASUU Strike: ASUU threatens fresh strike over outstanding issues. (n.d.). Punch Newspaper. Retrieved from https://punchng.com/asuu-strike-asuu-threatens-fresh-strike-over-outstanding-issues/

[3] ASUU Strike: ASUU rejects Tertiary Institutions Support Stabilization Fund. (n.d.). The Guardian. Retrieved from https://guardian.ng/education-news/asuu-rejects-tertiary-institutions-support-stabilisation-fund/

[4] ASUU Strike: ASUU directs members to prepare for protests over unpaid salaries. (n.d.). Daily Trust. Retrieved from https://dailytrust.com.ng/asuu-strike-asuu-directs-members-to-prepare-for-protests-over-unpaid-salaries/

[5] ASUU Strike: ASUU accuses FG of deliberately stalling implementation of key agreements. (n.d.). The Nation. Retrieved from https://thenationonlineng.net/asuu-strike-asuu-accuses-fg-of-deliberately-stalling-implementation-of-key-agreements/

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Resists Federal Government's Loan Program, Warns of Future Demonstrations