ASUU urges gov’t to avert another shutdown of universities

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto Zone, has called on the Federal Government to urgently prioritise education and honour existing agreements to avert another nationwide disruption in public universities. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Sokoto, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Professor Abubakar […]

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto Zone, has called on the Federal Government to urgently prioritise education and honour existing agreements to avert another nationwide disruption in public universities.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Sokoto, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Professor Abubakar Sabon, expressed deep frustration over what they described as the government’s “inconsistent and inadequate” approach to ongoing negotiations.

Yabo said that the union suspended its October warning strike out of respect for students, parents and well-meaning Nigerians who appealed for calm.

He explained that ASUU granted the Federal Government a one-month window—now fast running out—to demonstrate sincerity in addressing outstanding issues.

“We acted in good faith, but the government has not matched our gesture,” he said. “The proposed salary increases are grossly inadequate and will not stem the brain drain that has crippled Nigeria’s universities for years.”

He criticised what he called the “misleading presentation” of partial payments—such as promotion arrears from 2017 and long-overdue third-party deductions—as achievements of negotiation.

ASUU also highlighted serious governance and funding challenges across universities in the zone.

 

“Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto, is operating without a governing council, while Sokoto State University and Abdullahi Fodiyo University of Science and Technology, Aliero, continue to grapple with unpaid promotions and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) arrears.

 

“Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, is battling unpaid salaries and a recent attempt to hijack the institution’s portal. Federal University, Gusau and Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, established in 2013, still lack enabling laws, and Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru remains the only university in the country to commence operations without a take-off grant,” he claimed.