The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has authorised 20 federal and state universities across Nigeria to embark on varying forms of industrial action.
The decision was taken at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja from August 8 to 9, 2026.
ASUU National President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, disclosed the development at the weekend, citing the union’s dissatisfaction with what it described as the “haphazard implementation” of the December 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement.
The union warned that unless urgent steps are taken to address its concerns, another major disruption of academic activities across the country could occur.
The NEC approved industrial action for the affected universities after they meet their respective internal union requirements.
The universities are Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA); Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK); Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL); University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMEDO); Gombe State University (GSU), Gombe; Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos; Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUED), Oyo; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAUE); Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa; Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu; University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa; and Kaduna State University (KASU), Kaduna.
Others include Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil; Northwest University, Kano (NWUK); Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu; Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri; Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island; University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT); Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa; and Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo.
ASUU said the status of universities in the Lagos Zone is still being assessed, adding that separate decisions would be announced after the review.
The union identified several unresolved issues as the major factors behind the latest development.
According to ASUU, federal university Vice-Chancellors are struggling with inadequate funding for monthly salary obligations, while the situation in state-owned universities is even more critical.
The union claimed that only about 10 per cent or fewer of state governors have publicly accepted the new salary structure agreed upon in December 2025.
It accused other governors of avoiding their responsibilities by transferring the financial burden to Governing Councils that do not have sufficient resources to meet the obligations.
ASUU also criticised officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation over alleged delays in the payment of promotion arrears and monthly salaries.
The union further accused the agencies of withholding the remittance of academic staff deductions to their respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).
Another major concern raised by ASUU is the outstanding three-and-a-half months’ salary withheld following the 2022 nationwide strike.
Although the union acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s release of four months’ withheld salaries, it expressed disappointment that the remaining balance had not been paid.
ASUU also criticised the continued delay in the payment of the 25/35 per cent wage award and outstanding promotion arrears owed to its members.
The union also raised concerns over alleged harassment of its branch leaders and members by the Vice-Chancellors of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Imo State University and Abia State University.
The NEC warned that it would not support the suspension of industrial action in the affected institutions until what it described as all forms of victimisation had been brought to an end.
Beyond issues affecting universities, the NEC expressed concern over Nigeria’s wider political and economic situation.
The union condemned the reported increase in pre-election violence, political killings and economic instability ahead of upcoming election cycles.
According to ASUU, these challenges continue to worsen the living and working conditions of Nigerians, including university lecturers.
The union, however, commended the intervention efforts of Senator Lanre Tejuoso, Chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), while maintaining that it would continue to demand the full implementation of the December 2025 agreement.
ASUU said it would hold another emergency NEC meeting within the coming weeks to review developments.
The union warned that failure by the government to urgently address outstanding financial obligations and end alleged victimisation of its members could result in a broader, coordinated nationwide academic shutdown.
