ASUU raises concern over delay in implementation of 2025 agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Owerri Zone, has expressed concern over delays in implementing the 2025 agreement reached between the Federal Government and the union, warning that continued inaction could threaten industrial peace in Nigerian universities.

 

The union called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently address issues relating to salaries, pensions and staff welfare to prevent disruption in the academic system.

 

The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Owerri Zone, Prof. Dennis Aribodor, made the appeal on Tuesday during a press briefing at the ASUU Secretariat of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

 

Aribodor criticised what he described as the slow and distorted implementation of the agreement in some institutions and urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, students, parents, labour unions, civil society organisations and the media to prevail on governments to fully implement the pact.

 

ASUU Owerri Zone comprises Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State University, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

 

He said the union was worried that the goodwill generated by the signing and public presentation of the 2025 agreement could be lost if implementation delays persist.

 

“We are apprehensive that the momentum of trust and goodwill generated with the unveiling of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement on January 14, 2026, is fast waning and may soon be lost if the government’s promise to fully implement the agreement is not kept,” Aribodor said.

 

According to him, concerns stem partly from the Federal Government’s failure to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee expected to oversee execution of the agreement.

 

He alleged that some federal universities were selectively implementing aspects of the agreement, particularly allowances meant to be integrated into salary structures.

 

Aribodor also expressed concern that many state governments, despite participating in negotiations, had yet to implement the agreement.

 

“While commending some state universities in the Northern and Western parts of the country that blazed the trail in implementing the agreement, it is sad to note that no state university in the South East has implemented the agreement,” he said.

 

The ASUU leader further listed unresolved issues to include promotion arrears, outstanding salary awards, pension remittances and other third-party deductions.

 

He also raised concerns over the proposed National Research Council, saying implementation should align with provisions contained in the agreement signed with the Federal Government.

 

Aribodor urged authorities at both federal and state levels to honour the agreement to maintain stability in the university system and prevent avoidable disruptions to academic activities.