Sokoto: The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Northwest Zone, has called on the Federal Government to fully implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement, citing unresolved welfare issues, controversial education policies, administrative irregularities, and insecurity in universities as obstacles.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Northwest, Prof. Abubakar Sabo, addressed a press conference in Sokoto, urging the government to act on the resolutions reached during the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, from May 9 to 10. Despite the public presentation of the agreement in January, Sabo noted that the Federal Government has not taken necessary actions.
Sabo highlighted that the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) has not been formed, and multiple federal and state universities have yet to fully implement the salary components of the agreement. He pointed out several unresolved welfare issues, including 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.
The union also voiced concerns about new education policies, such as the reversal of the mother-tongue policy in early childhood education, the proposed establishment of a Coventry University campus in Nigeria, and plans to eliminate certain courses in the humanities and social sciences. Sabo also raised alarm over increasing cases of maladministration, lack of transparency, and irregular appointments in Nigerian universities.
Addressing national issues, the union criticized the worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and political tensions affecting academic activities, particularly in Northern Nigeria. The zonal coordinator warned that ASUU might resort to industrial action if all diplomatic efforts are exhausted.