The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned of a looming industrial crisis in Nigerian universities over the Federal Government’s failure to fully implement the 2025 agreement signed with the union.
The Zonal Coordinator,Professor Monday Igbafen gave the warning at a News briefing held at the University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus..
He said government’s delay in constituting the Implementation Monitoring Committee has led to partial and uncoordinated execution of the agreement.
“You will recall that the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement was formally unveiled on 14th January, 2026 by the Nigerian State.
That unveiling marked what we believed would be the end of years of struggle to renegotiate the 2009 Agreement and secure lasting industrial harmony in our public universities.
At that historic moment, the Nigerian State made solemn promises of full and speedy implementation.
Regrettably, we must report that the Nigerian State has reneged on that promise”
The ASUU Benin Zonal Coordinator explained that key components of the agreement, including salary adjustments and allowances such as Consolidated Academic Tool Allowances and Earned Academic Allowances, have been selectively implemented by some university authorities, while several state governments have failed to comply entirely.
“State Governors’ Refusal to Comply: Nearly five months after the Federal Government directed full implementation, many state governors — who serve as Visitors to state universities, have refused to act.
unless urgent action is taken, we are being pushed back to the trenches.”
It also expressed concern over unresolved welfare issues, including outstanding salary arrears, unpaid allowances, withheld salaries from the 2022 strike, and delayed pension payments to retired academics,The government’s plan to establish a campus of Coventry University in Nigeria urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene urgently.
The union further criticised recent policy directives by the Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, on the proposed National Research and Innovation Development Fund, the reversal of mother-tongue education policy, describing them as misguided and potentially harmful to the nation’s education system.
it warned that failure by the government to honour the agreement could lead to disruption of the academic calendar and urge Nigerians to hold authorities accountable to safeguard the future of education in the country.
The Benin Zone of ASUU comprises the University of Benin; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Delta State University, Abraka; Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun; University of Delta, Agbor; Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, and Southern Delta University, Ozoro.
By: Fortune Oyem, Benin City.
