By DAYO ADESULU
Union Issues Fresh Ultimatum After Rejecting 35% Pay Proposal
Public universities across Nigeria are heading toward another major disruption as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared that it will shut down all federal and state institutions indefinitely from Friday.
The announcement, released on Tuesday through the union’s official X handle, signals a fast-deteriorating standoff between lecturers and the Federal Government — one rooted in unresolved negotiations, stalled agreements, and worsening brain drain across the sector.
The ASUU strike, if activated on Friday, will plunge students into yet another academic paralysis and heighten concerns about the sustainability of Nigeria’s higher education system.
ASUU Warns: “All Universities Will Be Closed Nationwide”
In its brief statement, the union said it could no longer tolerate what it described as the government’s failure to meet long-standing commitments on remuneration, welfare, and revitalisation of the university system.
“All universities will be closed nationwide till further notice on Friday,” ASUU wrote, underscoring the seriousness of its position.
Union officials say the Federal Government has repeatedly ignored the realities on the ground, where academic talent is leaving Nigeria at an alarming rate due to poor pay, unstable calendars, and decaying infrastructure.
Rejection of 35% Salary Proposal Deepens Rift
Daily Post earlier reported that ASUU flatly rejected the government’s 35% salary increase offer, describing it as “inadequate, unsustainable, and misaligned with current economic realities.”
According to ASUU leaders, the proposed percentage fails to address inflation, the rising cost of living, and the need to competitively reward Nigerian scholars in line with global standards.
The union insists that the government must return to full renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement — a document that outlines improved funding, university autonomy, staff welfare, and research support.
Despite multiple rounds of dialogue this year, key items remain unresolved.
Background: Warning Strike Suspended in October
In October, the union suspended its two-week warning strike after both sides agreed to resume renegotiation and address outstanding issues affecting the sector.
However, lecturers say the government has taken no meaningful steps since then, leaving the system in a fragile state.
ASUU leaders describe the government’s posture as “non-committal,” adding that the refusal to implement previous agreements is eroding trust and weakening the morale of academic staff nationwide.
Massive Talent Drain Pushing Universities to the Brink
At the centre of ASUU’s concerns is the accelerating exodus of Nigerian academics to Europe, North America, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
Union officials argue that without improved remuneration and better working conditions, universities will continue to lose lecturers faster than they can recruit or train replacements.
Many departments, especially in engineering, medicine, and pure sciences, already operate with dangerously low staffing levels. Some universities have lost entire cohorts of senior lecturers within two years.
The ASUU strike is intended, union leaders say, to force the government to “take the crisis of manpower flight seriously.”
Students Brace for Another Disruption
Students across the country are expressing deep frustration and uncertainty. Many fear the looming shutdown could distort academic calendars yet again, affecting graduation timelines, NYSC mobilisation, and postgraduate admissions.
Parents also voiced concerns about the long-term consequences of chronic instability in Nigeria’s universities, urging both sides to find common ground before Friday.
Government Yet to Issue Fresh Statement
As of Tuesday evening, the Federal Government had not released a formal response to ASUU’s latest notice.
Inside the Ministry of Education, officials privately signal that the government is unwilling to commit to new financial obligations without “clear fiscal space.”
But union leaders say the government cannot keep citing financial difficulty while the education sector collapses.
A Sector on Edge
With Friday fast approaching, the nation’s higher education system stands on the edge of another full shutdown.
Unless urgent dialogue resumes, Nigeria may be heading for one of the longest and most consequential university closures in recent years.
#ASUU #ASUUSt
rike #NigerianUniversities #EducationCrisis #FGN #Students #TheCheerNews #NigeriaEducationNews
