The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has raised concerns regarding the Federal Government’s lack of commitment to resolving ongoing issues in the nation’s university system.
ASUU warned that another nationwide strike might occur if urgent actions are not taken.
During a press conference at Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, on Saturday, November 15, 2025, zonal coordinator Timothy Namo stated that the government has shown little interest in addressing key matters, despite the suspension of the union’s two-week warning strike declared on October 13, 2025.
Namo recalled that ASUU suspended the warning strike on October 21 after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, where the union noted strong support from students, the media, labor unions, the National Assembly, and concerned Nigerians.
The suspension was meant to allow for meaningful engagement and resolution.
‘Nothing Substantial Achieved’
However, Namo lamented that “barely one week to the expiration of the four-week window given to the government, nothing substantial has been achieved.”
At the NEC meeting held from November 8 to 9 at Taraba State University, the salary increment proposal presented by the government was rejected, as it was described as “a drop in the ocean, far below expectations to reverse the brain drain syndrome crippling the university system across Nigeria.”
While some non-monetary aspects of the renegotiation process showed progress, the critical components—salaries and working conditions—remain unresolved.
Namo criticized what he saw as attempts by some government officials to undermine negotiations.
“There is no sufficient evidence from the government’s response so far to suggest that education is a priority in Nigeria and that the government truly desires to avert a crisis in the universities,” he said.
He also criticized the partial payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2017 and the release of third-party deductions as inadequate gestures that do little to rebuild trust.
‘Lack Of Political Will’
Contrary to government claims of insufficient funds, ASUU cited financial allocations to federal and state governments showing significant increases.
Namo noted that states received ₦3.92 trillion in 2022 and ₦5.81 trillion in 2024, while the Federal Government received ₦3.42 trillion in 2022 and ₦4.65 trillion in 2024, representing increases of more than 62 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively.
“These statistics confirm that it is not lack of funds but lack of political will and misplacement of priorities that make education suffer in Nigeria,” he insisted.
The union called on traditional rulers, civil society organizations, student bodies, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the National Assembly to intervene to prevent further disruption of academic activities.
Namo urged the government to use the remaining days of the negotiation window wisely, emphasizing that massive investment in education is the surest way to safeguard the nation’s future.
In October 2025, ASUU suspended the two-week warning strike it began on October 13, 2025, following renewed commitments from the Federal Government and the National Assembly to address the union’s demands.
