Three States Face Academic Shutdown as ASUU Threatens Strike

 

By Abel Chigozie 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned of a fresh wave of industrial action in state-owned universities in Lagos State, Gombe State and Plateau State over the failure of the affected state governments to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement on lecturers' salaries and welfare. 

The union said six months after the agreement took effect on January 1, 2026, several state governments were yet to comply with its provisions despite participating in the negotiations that produced the deal. The agreement includes a 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers and the introduction of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance for research and publication. 

In Lagos, ASUU urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently implement the agreement to prevent disruption of academic activities at Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Education and Lagos State University of Science and Technology. The union warned that continued delays could lead to unrest and eventual closure of the institutions. 

ASUU also accused the governments of Gombe and Plateau states of neglecting lecturers' welfare by refusing to implement the agreement at Gombe State University and Plateau State University. The union appealed to both governors to act swiftly and avert another round of strikes. 

The union maintained that it remains committed to dialogue but warned that it would support any action taken by its branches if governments continue to ignore their demands, stressing that any disruption to academic activities would be the responsibility of the affected state governments.