The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed deep concern over what it described as the Federal Government’s inconsistent and sluggish approach to ongoing negotiations, warning that the situation could have “grievous consequences” for Nigeria’s education sector.
The union’s NEC, which convened from November 8 to 9, 2025, at Taraba State University, Jalingo, reviewed the progress of talks with the government’s negotiating team and lamented the lack of tangible commitment to concluding the renegotiation process.
In a statement signed by ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, the union recalled that during its emergency meeting on October 21, 2025, it had suspended its warning strike in the spirit of good faith — despite what it termed as the government’s “grossly insufficient” offers.
According to ASUU, the strike suspension was a gesture of respect for the goodwill shown by students, parents, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the media, and other well-meaning Nigerians who appealed for dialogue. The union said it had expected the government to use the one-month window to meaningfully conclude the renegotiation process but noted that progress had since been “unimpressive.”
“It is now the responsibility of the government to take advantage of this opportunity to quickly resolve all outstanding issues in order to keep our children in school,” the statement read.
The NEC accused the government of treating education as a commercial venture rather than a social good critical to national development.
While acknowledging some modest progress in non-monetary aspects of the talks, ASUU rejected the proposed salary increment presented by the government’s team, describing it as “a mere drop in the ocean” incapable of reversing the brain drain that continues to plague Nigeria’s universities.
The union emphasized that the salary structure and conditions of service remain at the heart of the dispute and must be addressed urgently and sincerely if the government hopes to prevent another round of industrial action.
