The Lagos Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has decried what it described as the poor and inconsistent implementation of the 2025 agreement reached with the Federal Government, warning that the development is threatening industrial peace across Nigerian universities.
Speaking at a press conference held at University of Lagos on Wednesday, the union’s Zonal Coordinator, Adesola Nassir, accused both federal and state governments of failing to demonstrate commitment to revitalising the nation’s university system.
Nassir said although the agreement—finalised after nearly a decade of renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government pact—was accepted as a “launchpad” for reforms, its implementation has been fraught with inconsistencies and delays.
He identified the non-implementation of the salary component of the agreement as a major concern, noting that key allowances such as Consolidated Academic Tool Allowances, Earned Academic Allowances and Professorial Allowances were meant to be incorporated into monthly salaries from January 2026.
According to him, the Federal Government’s directive allowing universities to temporarily fund the salary adjustments pending the passage of the 2026 budget has resulted in “haphazard implementation,” as institutions differ in financial capacity.
“The consequence has been uneven compliance, contrary to government claims that the salary component has been implemented,” Nassir said, adding that there were fears over whether universities would be reimbursed for funds deployed to cover the shortfalls.
The union also expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of some state governments, accusing them of neglecting the agreement despite being part of the negotiation process.
While commending the management of Olabisi Onabanjo University and Tai Solarin University of Education for taking steps toward implementation, ASUU urged the Lagos State Government to urgently commence compliance.
The union specifically called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the matter, warning that failure to act could trigger staff unrest across state-owned institutions, including Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Science and Technology and Lagos State University of Education.
ASUU further criticised the Federal Government for failing to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee, a key structure designed to oversee and ensure the effective execution of the agreement.
“The delay has created the impression that government is only interested in the salary aspect, whereas critical issues such as funding, governance and welfare remain unresolved,” Nassir stated.
He listed other unresolved welfare issues to include arrears of salary increments, promotion arrears, unpaid allowances, unremitted third-party deductions, and withheld salaries from the 2022 ASUU strike.
Describing the failure to remit deducted funds as “fraudulent and criminal,” the union warned that continued neglect of lecturers’ welfare would worsen brain drain and further weaken the education sector.
The union also raised concerns over internal disputes in some institutions, including unresolved promotion guidelines at UNILAG and labour-related issues in state universities.
It urged the Lagos State Government to resolve the prolonged case involving five dismissed ASUU executives at LASU and address emerging concerns at LASUSTECH and LASUED, including outstanding entitlements and staff relations.
ASUU warned that the “fragile peace” currently observed in universities could collapse if governments fail to honour their obligations.
“Our members across the country have been fully briefed, and the Lagos Zone is aligned with the national body on any decision taken going forward,” Nassir said.
The union appealed to governments at all levels to act swiftly to prevent another round of industrial crisis in the nation’s universities.
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