ASUU Urges Federal Government to Boost University Funding to End Strikes
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Federal Government to increase funding for public universities, saying sustainable investment in education is the only way to end recurring strikes and improve the global standing of Nigerian universities.
ASUU President Chris Piwuna made the appeal on Friday when the union appeared before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund at the National Assembly.
Piwuna said the ongoing two-week warning strike stemmed from unresolved issues dating back to 2011, noting that years of engagement with the government had failed to produce meaningful results.
“We engaged the Federal Government for eight years without tangible results. The Yayale Ahmed Committee report, submitted in December 2024, was ignored until this industrial action began,” he said.
Piwuna said the union’s key demands—adequate funding, improved conditions of service, revitalization of public universities, and academic autonomy—remain unchanged. He urged the Senate to press the government to make higher education a priority.
“Try us. Push government to fund universities adequately, and you’ll see the end of strikes and improvement in our universities’ global rankings,” he told the senators.
He revealed that although the National Assembly approved ₦150 billion for universities, only ₦50 billion had been released so far, and that amount was still held up at the Ministry of Education. Piwuna alleged that the minister planned to share the funds among universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, even though each institution type has separate allocations.
He warned that the ₦150 billion earmarked specifically for universities must be used for its intended purpose.
Meanwhile, ASUU raised concerns over alleged moves by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to take part of the 10,000 hectares of land belonging to the University of Abuja.
“We are worried because the University of Abuja is located in the FCT. Anyone serious about higher education should be focused on developing it. If the minister wants land, he should look elsewhere,” Piwuna said.
He urged the Senate to intervene and ensure the university’s land remains untouched.
ASUU declared its two-week warning strike on October 13 over unmet demands, including the implementation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of withheld salaries, and sustainable funding for university revitalization.
The Federal Government, however, maintains that it has met the union’s key demands and remains open to further negotiations. Following the strike declaration, the government enforced the no-work, no-pay policy against striking lecturers.