The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) mobilized its members across Nigerian universities on Tuesday, October 31, 2025, in a nationwide protest aimed at pressuring the Federal Government to address their long-standing grievances. This demonstration occurred just two days before a crucial meeting scheduled between ASUU and the government in Abuja. Lecturers from various institutions, including Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Federal University of Lafia, University of Ilorin, University of Calabar, Abia State University, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Federal University of Technology Akure, Plateau State University, University of Maiduguri, and Osun State University participated in the protests, carrying placards, chanting solidarity songs, and issuing warnings of an impending strike if their demands remained unmet.
The core demands of ASUU remained consistent across all participating universities. These demands centered on the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, which encompasses several key issues. ASUU called for the release of three and a half months’ worth of withheld salaries, payment of outstanding 25-35% salary arrears, and settlement of promotion arrears owed to its members. Furthermore, ASUU reiterated its demand for the revitalization of Nigerian universities through improved funding and infrastructure. The union also vehemently rejected the government’s proposed tertiary institution staff loan scheme and insisted on the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as the preferred payment platform over the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS), arguing that UTAS better preserves university autonomy.
ASUU leaders at various universities voiced their concerns and frustrations. At OAU, Professor Tony Odiwe, the ASUU Chairperson, highlighted the stagnation of lecturers’ salaries since 2009, accusing the government of deliberately stalling on the implementation of the Yayale Ahmed renegotiation committee report submitted in February 2025. He warned of a potential disruption to academic activities if the government failed to address these issues. Similar sentiments were echoed by Professor Adeola Egbedokun, ASUU’s Akure Zonal Coordinator, at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). He emphasized the dire financial situation of academic staff, stating that many lecturers struggle to afford basic necessities due to low salaries and accumulated debts.
The protests also brought to light the impact of the government’s inaction on the welfare of lecturers. In Lafia, Sunday Orinya, the ASUU Branch Chairperson, accused the government of deceit and neglect, lamenting the hardship faced by lecturers, some of whom have reportedly died due to poverty-related issues. He reiterated the demands for the payment of withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and adequate funding for universities. At Plateau State University, the protest received notable support from the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shedrack Best, and the National President of ASUU, Professor Chris Piwuna, who joined the protesting lecturers. They decried the poor salary structure, non-payment of allowances, and the imposition of IPPIS, stressing that the autonomy of universities was under threat.
The protests extended to various other universities across the country. In Sokoto, members from three universities participated in the demonstration, with Professor Nurudeen Almustapha, the UDUS Chairman, demanding the immediate implementation of the Yayale Ahmed report and rejecting the government’s loan scheme as a deceitful proposition. At UNILORIN, protesters bore placards with messages such as “University workers are not slaves” and “Honour your agreement with ASUU,” highlighting their discontent. Dr. Alex Akanmu, the Branch Chair, criticized the government’s failure to honour agreements, asserting that this has further impoverished lecturers and brought the university system to the brink of collapse.
In Akure, FUTA ASUU Chair, Professor Pius Mogaji, condemned the government’s disregard for the Yayale Ahmed report and hinted at further actions if their demands were not addressed. At UNICAL, Branch Chairperson, Peter Ubi, accused the government of eroding trust and plunging its members into debt, while in Maiduguri, ASUU members protested against poor retirement benefits, unpaid arrears, and the renaming of the institution after former President Muhammadu Buhari without proper consultation. Lecturers at Abia State University in Umuahia and Osun State University also joined the protests, voicing concerns over unpaid salaries and increments, and alleged victimization. The nationwide protests served as a clear warning to the Federal Government, indicating that failure to address the lecturers’ demands at the upcoming Thursday meeting could lead to another disruptive nationwide strike, further jeopardizing the already fragile state of Nigerian universities.
