ASUU Warns of Nationwide University Shutdown

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ASUU Warns of Nationwide University Shutdown as Talks with Tinubu Government Stall

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that it may resume its nationwide strike if negotiations with President Bola Tinubu’s administration fail to progress before the expiration of its one-month ultimatum.

ASUU’s Kano Zonal Coordinator, Abdulkadir Muhammad, issued the warning on Tuesday in Kano during a press briefing following the zone’s meeting.

The union had suspended its warning strike in October, giving the Federal Government thirty days to meet its demands, which focus on improved welfare for lecturers and the creation of a conducive teaching and learning environment.

Mr. Muhammad criticised what he described as the government’s sluggish and uninspired approach to renegotiating long-standing agreements aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s public university system.

The meeting had representatives from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Bayero University, Kano; Kaduna State University; Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil; Federal University, Dutse; Northwest University, Kano; and Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa.

He explained that the update presented at ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting — held on November 8 and 9 at Taraba State University — showed widespread dissatisfaction with the slow pace of discussions. NEC described the situation as a significant barrier to reaching meaningful conclusions.

Mr. Muhammad noted that suspending the strike in October was a deliberate gesture to create a calm environment for negotiations and demonstrate goodwill to the Nigerian public.

“However, our hope for a holistic and timely resolution is steadily fading. It is unfortunate that some government officials continue to employ tactics designed to undermine the renegotiation process and mislead the public about the true state of our engagement,” he said.

He stressed that the government has yet to demonstrate genuine commitment to improving the welfare of academic staff or tackling the conditions driving mass brain drain across the university system.

“What the government has offered so far will neither enhance the working conditions of academics nor attract scholars from other countries to our institutions,” he added.

Mr. Muhammad also condemned claims by some government officials that ASUU’s demands have already been met.

He further urged the Federal Government to impose a moratorium on the establishment of state universities, similar to the existing restriction on new federal universities.

“Governors have developed the habit of establishing universities without any real commitment to funding them,” he said.

(NAN)

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