The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Northwest Zone, has called on the Federal Government to fully implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement.
The union cited unresolved welfare issues, controversial education policies, administrative irregularities, and insecurity in universities as major obstacles.
Prof. Abubakar Sabo, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Northwest, which includes 10 public universities, made the appeal at a press conference on Thursday in Sokoto.
Sabo said the call was based on resolutions from the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, from May 9 to 10. Despite the agreement’s public presentation in January this year, he noted, the Federal Government had failed to act. The Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) has not been constituted, and many federal and state universities have yet to fully implement the salary components of the agreement.
“On outstanding welfare issues, ASUU Sokoto Zone laments the non-payment of the 25-35% salary award, promotion arrears, salary shortfalls, unremitted third-party deductions, and the three months’ salary withheld during the 2022 ASUU strike,” he said.
The union also voiced concerns over new education policies, including the reversal of the mother-tongue policy in early childhood education, the proposed establishment of a Coventry University campus in Nigeria, and plans to scrap certain courses in humanities and social sciences.
Sabo further raised alarm over rising cases of maladministration, lack of transparency, and irregular appointments in Nigerian universities.
On national issues, the union condemned worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and political tensions affecting academic activities, especially in Northern Nigeria.
The zonal coordinator warned that ASUU may consider industrial action if diplomatic efforts fail. He appealed to patriotic Nigerians, parents, students, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to support the fight for functional and adequately funded public universities.
