ASUU Accuses Education Minister Of Deceit, Threatens To Resume Strike Over Unfulfilled Government Promises

 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos chapter, has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, accusing the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, of making deceptive claims about the government’s performance regarding agreements reached with university workers. The union insists that the Minister’s recent statements misrepresent the true state of affairs between the government and the academic community, particularly concerning outstanding salaries, arrears, and revitalisation funds.

A statement signed by the branch chairperson, Professor Jurbe Joseph Molwus, expressed the union’s growing frustration over what it described as “a pattern of misinformation and empty assurances.” The statement warned that if the government fails to meet the agreed demands within the next two weeks, ASUU would have no choice but to resume its suspended strike, thereby disrupting academic activities across universities once again.

According to Professor Molwus, the Federal Government has failed to act meaningfully on the union’s demands since the four-week ultimatum it issued on October 22, 2025. He noted that two weeks after the warning, “not much progress has been recorded,” leaving many lecturers disillusioned and demoralised. The chairperson lamented that despite the sacrifices made by lecturers during the previous strike and their decision to suspend it in the interest of students, the government has shown little sincerity in implementing the promises made.

The University of Jos ASUU branch highlighted a series of unresolved issues that continue to cause tension between the union and the government. Among them are the payment of 3.5 months of withheld salaries, 25 and 35 percent wage award arrears, promotion arrears, and unpaid wages for some academic staff. These, according to the union, are legitimate entitlements that the government has continued to delay without justification.

Professor Molwus stated that as the union prepares for its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for November 8 and 9, there are strong expectations that these outstanding payments would have been made. However, he stressed that the situation remains largely unchanged, leaving members angry and skeptical. “What we need are credit alerts, not misleading statements,” the union emphasized, underscoring that words alone cannot substitute for the fulfillment of financial obligations.

ASUU also raised concerns over the N50 billion Revitalisation Fund that the Federal Government claimed to have released several weeks ago. The union argued that there is no evidence of such funds reaching any of the universities, describing the claim as another example of the government’s inconsistency. According to the statement, none of the institutions has received a kobo from the alleged release, raising doubts about whether the funds were genuinely disbursed or merely announced to score political points.

The union expressed particular outrage over the minister’s assertion that the government had disbursed N2.3 billion to clear salary and promotion arrears across all federal universities. ASUU dismissed this as a “false and embarrassing claim,” insisting that the amount is far too small to make any real impact on the financial backlog affecting institutions nationwide. “N2.3 billion cannot even clear arrears in three universities, not to mention the entire country,” the union declared.

Furthermore, the University of Jos chapter challenged the Minister to provide concrete details about the supposed payments. It urged him to clarify which universities benefited, how the funds were distributed, and what specific fraction of the outstanding entitlements the money was meant to cover. According to ASUU, the lack of transparency surrounding these claims only deepens distrust and frustration among lecturers who have endured prolonged economic hardship due to the government’s actions.

The statement criticised the government’s public relations strategy, accusing officials of using the media to paint a misleading picture of progress. The union argued that instead of engaging in publicity stunts, the Minister should focus on ensuring that legitimate payments reach university workers promptly. It maintained that no amount of propaganda can erase the reality that most lecturers remain unpaid for months and are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living.

ASUU reiterated its commitment to the pursuit of quality education and fair treatment for its members but warned that it would not hesitate to take decisive action if the government continues to disregard its obligations. The union reminded the public that every strike action it takes is a result of failed promises and negligence on the part of authorities, not a desire to disrupt academic calendars.

As the NEC meeting approaches, the academic community and the public are watching closely to see how the government responds. If the issues remain unresolved, Nigeria’s universities may once again descend into another prolonged shutdown, further jeopardising the already fragile higher education system. For ASUU, the message is clear: the time for talk has passed, and only concrete action will prevent another national strike.