ASUU Rejects FG Loan Scheme, Protests Unpaid Salaries, Other Demands

 

Members of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) at the Emmanuel Alayande University of Education Oyo, have joined their counterparts nationwide to protest against then delay in the implementation of their outstanding demands and agreements by the Federal Government.

According to the union, the protest is coming ahead of Thursday’s make or mar meeting with the federal government representatives over the demand which include the 2009 Yayale Ahmed led committee, inadequate funding of university education, outstanding salaries and arrears, promotion exercises, as well as the victimization and humiliation of their members.

University’s ASUU Chairman, Comrade Michael Bamidele-Ojo, while speaking at a news conference in Oyo, said the University lecturers will no longer tolerate such inhumane treatment from the federal government on their welfare and academics obligations to the tertiary institutions in the country.

Bamidele-Ojo, however, asked the well-meaning Nigerians to compel the federal government to meet their demands in order not to disrupt the peaceful academic environment across the country.

THE FULL TEXT

Staff Union of Universities ASUU extends its heartfelt appreciation to the esteemed members of the Press for accepting our invitation to cover this Conference on the lingering issues affecting Nigeria Universities system. Your presence and coverage of our concern are invaluable in amplifying our voice and bringing attention to the critical issues that require urgent attention from the government and University administration. We appreciate your commitment to transparency and your role in keeping the public informed about the challenges facing our Universities. Your coverage will help to galvanize support for our demands and promote a better understanding of the issues at stake. We look forward to continuing collaboration and partnership with you in advocating for the rights and welfare of academic staff as well as promoting quality education in Nigeria.

As part of the efforts for continued engagement with the Federal Government on lingering issues, the national secretariat of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) directed all its branches across the country to hold Town Hall meetings with the general public who are the major stakeholders of Tertiary Education. These meetings were done to brief the stakeholders on the Union’s lingering issues with government, acquaint the public with the steps taken towards bringing government’s attention back to the issues on which they have perpetually remained silent some times last year. The National body of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) also addressed a Press Conference at the National Secretariat Abuja on the sane lingering issues that the government made promises that were not fulfilled. The National President of ASUU equally had a Press Conference on Thursday, 21st August, 2025 at the University of Jos on issues that the Federal Government decided to be deaf and dumb about. Some of these lingering issues are revisited below:

RE-NEGOTIATION OF THE 2009 ASUU FGN AGREEMENT

It is no longer a hidden fact that the salary of academic staff in Nigerian universities has been merely the same for the past sixteen (16) years. Though, there was an understanding that the 2009 re-negotiated agreement would be reviewed every three (3) years. However, its took the government eight (8) years to constitute the re-negotiated committees for that purpose in 2017 and since then, various committees have been set up by the government to re-negotiate the agreement with ASUU. These include the Wale Babalakin–led Joint re-negotiation committee; Professor Munzali Jubril-led committee and later the late Erneritus Professor Nimi Briggs-led committee which ultimately resulted in a draft agreement between the committee and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in 2021. However, the Muhammadu Buhari government refused to sign the draft agreement as proposed by its own representatives. When the current president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria assumed office, the Union leadership opted to give the new administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu enough time to address pressing Challenges in public universities but there was no serious efforts by the government to address the ugly situation. Since the submission of the Ahaji Yayale Ahmed Report in February 2025, the Federal Government of Nigeria has failed to attend to the this report until 11th August, 2025 which shows that government is attempting to jettison on the collective Bargaining principle. ASUU therefore demands that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration should return to this principle of collective Bargaining and address the issues in our draft agreement.

SUSTAINABLE FUNDING OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

The problem of underfunding in Nigerian Universities is a significant challenge that affects the quality of education, infrastructure and research output. The effects of underfunding include deteriorating infrastructure, universities struggle with dilapidated buildings, inadequate equipment and poor ICT facilities, making it difficult for students to learn effectively because lecturers and students lack access to current textbooks, journals and digital resources which have hindered effective teaching and learning. The underfunding of Nigerian Universities has also led to brain drain which made many qualified academics seek opportunities abroad due to low salaries and lack of research funding, leading to a shortage of experienced lecturers. Nigerian Universities also struggle to fund quality research project; maintain current journal subscription or participate in international academic conference, impacting on the country’s contribution to global knowledge production. Underfunded universities cannot adequately prepare graduates for the modern workforce to fill skill gaps and increased training costs for employers. It was equally discovered that federal government’s allocation to education consistedly falls below the UNESCO-recommended bench mark of 26% of the national budget ASUU agitation is that government should significantly increase funding for universities to meet global standards by allocating a larger share of the national budget to education.

REVITALIZATION OF UNIVERSITIES

ASUU as a matter of fact acknowledge the government promise to inject one hundred and fifty billion naira (N150BN) into the university system in three instalments to address the problem of chronic decay in infrastructural facilities, brain drain, poor research output, outdated curriculum and academic staff shortage. It is noted that the more the delay in the payment of the fund the more elusive is the reality of having a university system capable of not only retaining our best brains, but also in attracting other union.

ASUU demands that as a matter of urgency, government should release the money pledged in this regard to urgently address this critical issues.

VICTIMIZATION OF ACADEMIC STAFF IN LASU, KASU AND FUTO.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is appalled by the increasing trend of victimization of its members by government agencies and university administration in Kogi State Universities (KASU), Anyingba now Prince Abubakar Audu University Lagos State University (LASU), and Federal University of Technology (FUTO) Owerri. This trend is/a clear attempt to intimidate silence and punish academic staff for exercising their right and performing their duties. ASUU members in these branches have been subjected to intimidation and harassment by their visitors, governing Council and university administrations for participating in Union activities including industrial actions and advocacy for improved working conditions our members are facing unfair treatment. Some were unjustly sacked.

ASUU demands that government agencies and university administration of the affected universities should immediately cease the victimization of our members. We call for the protection of academic staff from intimidation harassment, and unfair treatment. The university administration and government agencies must also respect the rights of academic staff to participate in Union activities without fear of reprisal. ASUU also urges all stakeholders including the National universities Commission (NUC), The Federal 

Ministry of Education and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to take immediate action to address this issues. We equally call on academic staff, students and the general public to stand in solidarity with ASUU and support the fight against victimization of academic staff. ASUU is also demanding for reinstatement of all members who have been unjustly relieved of their appointments because of Union activities. ASUU call for the withdrawal of the letter of relieve issued to our members.

University administrations Governing Council and visitors in our universities should equally respect due process and established procedure in dealing with staff rather than resorting to arbitrary and unjust action.

OUTSTANDING OF 25-35% SALARY ARREARS

The Academic staff Union of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo branch is deeply concerned about fifteen (15) months of 25-35% salary arrears owed by the university administration. Despite repeated assurances and promises from the university administration the payment is still lying unpaid. The delay has caused significant financial hardship and stress for lecturers affecting their well-being and productivity.

Many lecturers are struggling to meet their basic need and the delay is taking a toll on their morale and health.

ASUU demands that administration of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUED) Oyo should address the issue of withheld 25-35% salary arrears and provide a clear timeline for the payment and adhere to it strictly.

THE THREE AND HALF MONTHS WITHHELD SALARY BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

As a result of the obnoxious ‘No work, No pay ‘ policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, the salary of our members were withheld because of industrial action that was embarked upon in 2023 over the government’s refusal to honour a collective bargaining agreement. Despite promises and media hype from government officials including the minister of Education and Labour, only four months arrears was paid remaining three and half months salaries.

In the interest of fairness and industrial peace ASUU is calling on the federal government to pay these outstanding salaries arrears. Doing so will bail most of our members out of the financial doldrums they find themselves.

Payment of Earned Academic Allowance and Third Party Deduction The 2009 Federal Government ASUU agreement State that the government will fund Earned Academic Allowance (EAA). It was explicitly reaffirmed in the December 2020 FGN/ASUU MOA that EAA will be mainstreamed into our members’ monthly salaries with the next tranches of allowances set to be paid in 2021. However, not only was the scheduled payment aborted the mainstreamed of EAA which was supposed to begin in 2022 has remained a pipe dream in Nigeria’s public universities.

In Ibadan Zone, for example, university of Ibadan is owed over 3 Billion, in LAUTECH, The EAA has not been paid in 2013 except 10 % that was recently released for them, Kwara State University Academic Staff have not been paid since 2016, The EAA of Osun State University members was arbitrarily amputated by 50% between 2015 and 2019 in Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo EAA is yet to be implemented at all.

Gentlemen of the Press, despite the efforts of our Union we are yet to receive a positive response from the government. ASUU calls on the Government and University administration to pay all the Earned Academic Allowances and third party deductions including the dues deductions including the check-off dues which are Union dues deducted from lecturers’ salaries and remitted to the Union. ASUU also demands that all cooperative contributions of its members should be paid with immediate effect to the affected university.

STAGNANT SALARIES OF ACADEMIC STAFF UNION MEMBERS IN THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

For over sixteen (16) years lecturers have been facing a stark reality with their salaries remaining stagnant. Despite the rising cost of living, increased work load and dedication to shaping young minds, their compensation has not been adjusted to reflect these chances. The Unaddressed plight has resulted in a decline in the standard of living for many lecturers making it challenging for them to make ends meet. The consequences of the neglect are far reaching affecting not only the lecturers themselves but the education system as a whole. The stagnation of salary has reduced lecturers’, purchasing power because their salaries have not kept pace with inflations, increased financial stress, diminished career or prospects of lecturers, decreased morale and motivation, poor work-life balance, exodus from the teaching profession, quality of teaching demotivated decreased in students engagement, perpetuation of social equality reduced economic growth, decreased innovations, erosion of trust in institutions and societal devaluation of knowledge.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is calling on the government to address the poor salary structure for the academic staff, the salary structure that will reflect the value and contributions of academic staff to national development, regular and timely payment of salaries without delays or arrears, improved working conditions including access to modern facilities and equipment to enhance productivity and job satisfaction.

DELAY IN THE COMPLETION OF THE PROMOTION EXERCISE BY THE UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is compelled to address the delay in the completion of the promotion exercise by the university Administration. Despite the agitation by the leadership of the Union, many lecturers are yet to have their promotion confirmed. The delay has caused significant anxiety and frustration among lecturers who are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the exercise. This delay has far-reaching implication for morale and productivity of academic Staff. For instance, the 2023 and 2024 promotion exercise that is on-going in Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo (EAUED) is still dragging feet in August 2025, The question is that when are we going to commence the 2025 promotion exercise that are about to be completed in most of the public universities in Nigeria.

ASUU, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUED) Oyo calls on the university administration and the government council to complete the 2023 and 2024 promotion exercise without further delay. We also urge the administration to commence 2025 promotion exercise immediately to boost the morale and commitment of the university community.

UNIVERSITY AUTONOMY

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUED) Oyo branch expressed deep disappointment and frustration over the Federal Government’s continued refusal to grant autonomy to universities in Nigeria.

Despite repeated promises and agreements, the government has failed to implement the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement which includes crucial provisions for university autonomy. The government failure to grant autonomy to the public universities has hindered universities ability to make decision leading to bureaucratic constraints and stifled innovations. Excessiveness of government control has limited academic freedom, restricting faculty and students from pursuing research and discourse without external pressure or censorship.

ASUU EAUED, Oyo demand that the government must grant universities the freedom to govern themselves and make decision on internal operation and allow the university Senates to perform their statutory functions.

PROLIFERATION OF UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA

The Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU is compelled to address the alarming rate of proliferation of universities in Nigeria. The surge in the establishment of new universities with the number increase to 283, comprising 63 Federal, 63 state and 149 private universities has raised serious concerns about the quality of education in the country. The rapid expansion of universities without adequate infrastructure facilities, and qualified personnel will inevitably compromised the quality of education leading to half-baked graduates. The proliferation of universities does not also translate to job opportunity for graduates but also resulting in a skills gap and unemployment crisis.

ASUU Emmanuel Alayande University of Education demands that instead of establishing universities, government should focus on consolidating and improving the existing institutions to meet the global standards, the government as a matter of urgency should prioritize education funding, allocating at least 15-26% of the national budget education as against 7% that was allocated to education in the 2025 national budget. Hence, we call on government to invest in education, focusing on quality rather than quantity and to ensure that universities are equipped to produce globally competitive graduates.

TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS STAFF SUPPORT FUND (TISSF)

The Academic Staff Union of Universities is rejecting the tertiary institution staff support Fund (TISSF) proposed by the Federal Government. The fund is a poisoned chalice that would undermine the welfare and dignity of academic staff. It is our view that the proposed loan scheme is an attempt to commercialize education and further impoverish lecturers rather than addressing the root causes of the crisis in the university system, ASUU also wished to express its disappointment that the government did not consult with stakeholders before introducing the proposal, which we believed is a recipe for disaster. ASUU condemned the proposition of requesting ASUU to write a letter for its members to access the loan. It is our believe that the issue of loans is between the borrower and lending institution while ASUU does not stand on the way of any of its members’ decision of the loan, the Union objects to the attempt to make ASUU to write letter of introduction for such beneficiary.

ASUU therefore demands that our Union should be delisted from the process. The Union urges the academic community civic society organizations and the general public to join the Union in rejecting the TISSF proposal and demanding meaningful reforms in the tertiary education sector. ASUU also calls on Government to fast-track the conclusion and implementation of the FGN – ASUU Agreement by the Yayale Ahmed –led Committee guided by the principles of collecting bargaining instead of loans that will add little or no value to their lives.

UNPAID PROMOTION AND HAZARD ARREARS OF MEMBERS DURING COLLEGE OF EDUCATION DAYS.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo expressed deep disappointment and frustration over the failure of university administration to pay promotion and Hazard arrears owed to lecturers who are previously staff of College of Education and were absorbed into the university system.

Despite repeated promises and assurances, the university administration has failed to pay the promotion and hazard arrears owed to the affected lecturers. ASUU demands that the university administration should pay the promotion and hazard arrears owed to the affected lecturers without further delay and that university administration should prioritize the welfare of lecturers and take concrete steps to address their concerns so that lecturers can receive their rightful entitlement

CONCLUSION 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUED) Oyo extends its heartfelt appreciation to the esteemed members of the press, academic community who attended and listened to this press conference, we are very grateful for your presence and attention to the critical issues affecting the university system in Nigeria and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo in particular.

ASUU therefore invites all genuine patriots to prevail on Nigeria’s governments including the university administrations to address all lingering labour issues in the Nigerian University system to avert another looming industrial crisis if the government at all levels fails to address these concerns, ASUU may be forced to take industrial action which could distrupt the academic calendar and have reaching consequences for the university community. ASUU wish to inform the general public that we can no longer allow the welfare of our members to be subjected to the delay tactics of this Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government. Together we can work towards a brighter future for our university and the academic community.

Thank you.

Dr. Michael Bamidele Ojo

ASUU Chairperson

Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUED) Oyo