The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning of an impending total and indefinite strike across Nigerian public universities, citing the continued neglect of its members’ welfare by the Federal Government. On Tuesday, lecturers at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), organized a peaceful protest to express their dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to address longstanding issues affecting academic staff.
During the demonstration, ASUU members carried placards and chanted solidarity songs to draw attention to their grievances. They criticized the government for proposing salary increases for political office holders while allowing university lecturers’ salaries to remain stagnant for the past 15 years. The union decried the non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, which was intended to improve academic staff remuneration and working conditions. ASUU also noted that various government-appointed committees tasked with reviewing the 2009 agreement have been largely ignored.
Speaking at the protest, the Chairman of the MOUAU chapter of ASUU, Professor Chike Ugwuene, emphasized that the economic situation in Nigeria has rendered the 2009 salary recommendation outdated and unrealistic. He pointed out that the agreed take-home pay of less than ₦500,000 for a full professor is significantly below the African average of ₦1.5 million. ASUU is also demanding the immediate release of ₦150 billion in revalidation funds, which are included in the 2025 federal budget.
Other major concerns raised include the government’s failure to pay three and a half months’ worth of salaries owed during the 2022 strike and the unchecked proliferation of universities, both public and private, without adequate funding for existing institutions. The union also criticized the recently proposed Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund, describing it as deceptive, since the government is offering loans while still owing salaries.
Former ASUU Owerri Zone Coordinator, Professor Uzochukwu Onyebinama, added that lecturers are facing increasing financial hardships, making the teaching profession unattractive. He expressed dismay that professors earn the same amount — ₦500,000 — that serves as an entry-level salary for some medical professionals.
A visibly emotional Reverend Sister, Dr. Celestina Ogazie, knelt during the protest to plead with the government to respond to lecturers’ demands and relieve their suffering. The demonstration ended with a prayer led by Professor Marble Onwuka, asking for divine intervention in resolving the impasse between ASUU and the government.