The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has authorised branches in 20 universities to commence industrial action after issuing 14-day ultimatums, citing the failure to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
The decision followed the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9, 2026. In a statement released on Monday by ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna, the NEC expressed concern over the “haphazard implementation” of the agreement, particularly the non-release of necessary subventions and the refusal of several state governments to honour their obligations as visitors to state-owned universities.
Affected branches were directed to issue the ultimatums and proceed on strike if their demands remain unmet. The list includes Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; Gombe State University; Plateau State University; Adekunle Ajasin University; Ambrose Alli University; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology; Abia State University; Imo State University; Niger Delta University; Taraba State University; University of Africa, Toru-Orua; Bayelsa Medical University; University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa; Emmanuel Alayande University of Education; Kaduna State University; Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology; Northwest University, Kano; and others.
Academic activities have already been disrupted at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and Imo State University, Owerri, where local chapters declared indefinite, total strikes after receiving NEC approval. Lecturers at these institutions cite unpaid earned academic allowances, wage awards, minimum wage arrears, and the non-implementation of the new salary structure that took effect in January 2026.
The 2025 agreement, signed in December 2025, included a significant salary increase and improved welfare packages. While many federal universities have begun implementation, numerous state-owned institutions lag behind, prompting the latest wave of branch-level actions.
