The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has identified Nigeria’s political class as a major threat to national security, warning that rising political killings, thuggery and pre-election violence could trigger a wider crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The union also authorised affected university branches to begin processes that could lead to industrial action over the delayed implementation of the December 2025 agreement reached with the Federal Government. The decisions were reached at ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026.
In a statement signed by the union’s National President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, ASUU said recent political developments had created growing anxiety among Nigerians. The union described the political atmosphere as increasingly affected by thuggery, political violence and killings, which it linked to what it called bitter and winner-takes-all politics.
ASUU said the development was particularly troubling because Nigeria was already facing serious security challenges affecting communities, educational institutions and places of worship. The union stated, “As things stand now, the political class are the most significant and dangerous threat to Nigeria’s security. They are the ‘tribe’ that threatens us all.”
It further warned that continued political tension could eventually escalate into a broader crisis. The union also accused political leaders of contributing to Nigeria’s challenges through corruption, questionable contract awards, procurement violations and inadequate investment in critical infrastructure.
ASUU also raised concerns over claims by the Rural Electrification Agency that solar farms had been installed and connected to 15 Nigerian universities.
According to the union, reports received from its branches indicated that some of the installations were either not operational or had experienced repeated breakdowns. The union called for greater transparency in the execution of government projects, arguing that repeated failures to meet public expectations could undermine citizens’ confidence in government institutions.
On the university system, ASUU expressed dissatisfaction over the continued non-payment of three-and-a-half months’ salaries owed lecturers following the 2022 nationwide strike. The union recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had paid four months out of the seven-and-a-half months withheld by the previous administration. However, ASUU said the outstanding balance remained unpaid.
It argued that lecturers had made significant efforts to recover academic time lost during the strike and that settling the outstanding salaries would contribute to industrial stability within the university system. The union consequently resolved to use available legitimate measures to compel the government to pay the remaining balance. It also demanded payment of outstanding 25/35 per cent wage awards and promotion arrears owed to its members.
The union also expressed concern over what it described as the poor implementation of the December 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement.
According to ASUU, federal universities, including universities of agriculture, were facing difficulties implementing the financial components of the agreement because of inadequate funding. The situation was also described as problematic in state-owned universities.
ASUU said only about 10 per cent or fewer state governors had openly endorsed the new salary package for academic staff, while some others were allegedly transferring responsibility to governing councils without providing adequate financial resources. Consequently, the union’s NEC authorised affected branches to begin preparations for varying levels of industrial action after fulfilling the required procedures.
Among the institutions identified were Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; Gombe State University; Plateau State University, Bokkos; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Abia State University, Uturu; University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa; Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo; Kaduna State University; and Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil.
The affected branches have been directed to commence the necessary processes towards industrial action over the implementation failures.
Beyond workers’ welfare, ASUU criticised what it described as continued underfunding of Nigeria’s education sector. The union said the declining real value of budgetary allocations had weakened infrastructure, limited research activities and affected teaching and learning.
It also expressed concern over the pressure created by rising healthcare, energy and agricultural production costs, saying essential goods and services were becoming increasingly difficult for Nigerians to afford.
ASUU called for greater investment in agricultural and industrial production, social protection and other development programmes focused on citizens. It also urged government to reduce unnecessary borrowing, recover stolen public resources, block financial leakages and strengthen accountability.
The union said Nigeria was approaching a critical period ahead of the 2027 elections and urged governments to place citizens at the centre of policy decisions.
It called for a comprehensive review of the education system to ensure that it reflects Nigeria’s social, economic, cultural, technological and developmental needs. According to ASUU, greater emphasis should be placed on research, technical education, agriculture, innovation and skills development.
The union further urged federal and state governments to resolve outstanding welfare issues affecting academics and fully implement the December 2025 agreement. It warned that failure to address the issues could deepen industrial unrest and lead to further disruptions across Nigerian universities.
