ASUU calls on FG to renegotiate 2009 agreement to avert looming crisis

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benin Zone, on Monday urged the Federal Government to urgently revisit and renegotiate its 2009 agreement with the union to prevent a looming crisis in Nigeria’s universities.

Speaking at a press conference at Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba, Delta State, Zonal Coordinator Prof. Monday Igbafen highlighted unresolved issues affecting the university system that have heightened concerns among lecturers.

Key issues listed include sustainable funding for universities, revitalization of infrastructure, resolution of pending matters for members in LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and FUTO, payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, settlement of promotion arrears spanning over four years, withheld salaries of about three and a half months, and unpaid third-party deductions such as ASUU dues and members’ welfare savings.

Prof. Igbafen noted that since the suspension of the union’s last strike in October 2022, several promises by the government regarding review of conditions of service and signing of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement remain unfulfilled.

He stressed that proper renegotiation and implementation of the agreement are essential to addressing staff welfare challenges, underfunding, and university governance issues. Lecturers continue to face economic hardship due to withheld entitlements and an outdated salary structure, which has fueled the migration of academic staff abroad.

Prof. Igbafen appealed to Nigerians, students, parents, civil society organizations, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), statesmen, and industry leaders to urge the government to honour its agreements with ASUU and protect the nation’s educational system.