The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and authorities of 20 universities to resolve outstanding issues surrounding the implementation of the 2025 agreement, warning that failure to do so could trigger industrial action.
The decision was reached at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026, amid concerns over what ASUU described as delays and inconsistencies in implementing the agreement.
ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, directing the affected university branches to commence preparations for strike action if the issues remain unresolved after the 14-day window.
According to the union, an emergency NEC meeting would be convened towards the end of August or early September to assess the situation and determine its next line of action.
The affected institutions include Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; Gombe State University; Plateau State University, Bokkos; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Abia State University, Uturu; and University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa.
Others are Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo; Kaduna State University; Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil; Northwest University, Kano; Enugu State University of Science and Technology; Imo State University; Niger Delta University; University of Africa, Toru-Orua; Bayelsa Medical University; and Taraba State University, Jalingo.
ASUU said the affected branches would embark on industrial action when the ultimatum expires if the outstanding issues are not addressed. It added that branches in the Sokoto Zone had already issued a similar two-week ultimatum.
The union attributed the latest dispute largely to the inadequate implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement and delays in the release of funds required by the government to meet its obligations.
“NEC discussed the state of the struggle and noted that a significant milestone had been reached signing the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, but frowned at the haphazard implementation and lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government in the release of subvention to fully actualise the implementation of the said 2025 Agreement,” ASUU stated.
The union also faulted some state governments and authorities of state-owned universities for failing to implement agreed provisions, warning that such lapses could erode the gains recorded through the agreement.
The 2025 agreement, concluded in December after years of negotiations, addressed several longstanding concerns affecting university lecturers, including remuneration, research funding, academic allowances and staff welfare.
Among its provisions was a 40 per cent increase in academic staff remuneration, effective from January 1, 2026. The Federal Government announced in February that implementation of the salary increase had commenced.
The agreement also introduced the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to support academic publications, conferences, learned societies, internet access and books.
Professors were also expected to receive a Professorial Cadre Allowance of N1.74 million annually, representing N145,000 monthly, while readers were to receive N840,000 annually or N70,000 monthly.
ASUU, however, maintained that implementation had remained uneven across institutions, with some universities implementing only portions of the provisions while others were yet to implement some components.
The union further expressed concern over the delay in establishing the Implementation Monitoring Committee, which it said was necessary to address bureaucratic challenges affecting the agreement.
The NEC meeting also considered issues relating to academic promotions, appointments and security on university campuses.
ASUU expressed concern over security threats in universities, particularly incidents that had led to the deaths of academic staff. It directed affected branches to report such cases to security agencies and submit detailed reports to the union’s national leadership.
