ASUU Strike: Nasarawa, Imo Universities Shut Down as 20 Branches Get 14-Day Ultimatum
ASUU Strike: Nasarawa, Imo Universities Shut Down as 20 Branches Get 14-Day Ultimatum
Academic activities have been disrupted at Nasarawa State University and Imo State University as ASUU begins indefinite strikes and directs 20 university branches to prepare for industrial action.
ASUU Strike: Academic Activities Disrupted at Nasarawa and Imo Universities
Academic activities have been disrupted at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) and Imo State University, Owerri (IMSU) following the commencement of indefinite strikes by the respective chapters of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The latest development has raised fresh concerns about the stability of Nigeria's university system, particularly as the ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) has authorised 20 university branches to begin processes that could lead to industrial action.
The union's latest position is linked to what it described as the slow implementation of the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU, as well as unresolved issues affecting staff in several state-owned universities.
According to resolutions reached at the union's NEC meeting held at the University of Abuja on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9, 2026, affected branches have been directed to issue 14-day ultimatums to relevant authorities.
The directive means that branches whose demands remain unresolved after the expiration of the ultimatum could proceed with strike action.
The development could potentially affect thousands of students across the affected institutions if the disputes are not resolved through negotiations.
ASUU Gives 20 University Branches 14-Day Ultimatum
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, disclosed the union's position in a statement issued on Monday following the NEC meeting.
The union expressed concern over what it described as delays in implementing the 2025 agreement reached with the Federal Government.
ASUU also raised concerns about the failure of several state-owned universities to implement provisions of the agreement.
Under the latest directive, the affected branches are expected to issue 14-day ultimatums to their respective governments and university authorities.
If the demands are not addressed within the stipulated period, the branches may be required to commence industrial action.
The union said the decision was necessary because of the continued delay in resolving issues affecting university lecturers and other academic staff.
Branches within the Sokoto Zone, according to the union, had already issued two-week ultimatums.
ASUU also directed branches in federal universities where lecturers' salaries are allegedly being underpaid to take appropriate action in pursuit of their demands.
The directive reportedly includes universities of agriculture where academic staff have raised concerns over salary-related issues.
Nasarawa State University ASUU Chapter Begins Indefinite Strike
While several branches are still at the ultimatum stage, the ASUU chapter at Nasarawa State University, Keffi has already commenced an indefinite strike.
The university's chapter declared a total and indefinite withdrawal of services over alleged unpaid entitlements reportedly exceeding N3 billion.
The dispute involves several outstanding financial obligations owed to academic staff.
Among the issues raised by the union are unpaid Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), consequential adjustments linked to the implementation of the national minimum wage and the Federal Government-approved salary increase for university lecturers.
The chapter said it had engaged the university management, Governing Council and Nasarawa State Government in an attempt to resolve the outstanding issues.
However, according to the union, those discussions did not produce a satisfactory resolution.
ASUU chapter chairman, Dr Zubairu Loko, said the union had reached a point where it could no longer continue working without the outstanding financial obligations being addressed.
The strike means that normal academic activities, including teaching and supervision, have been suspended by the affected academic staff.
The development could have significant consequences for students if the dispute continues for an extended period.
Why Is Nasarawa State University on Strike?
The Nasarawa State University ASUU chapter's grievances reportedly centre on unpaid financial entitlements.
The union has identified several areas of concern, including:
- Outstanding Earned Academic Allowance.
- Consequential salary adjustments following the national minimum wage implementation.
- The Federal Government-approved salary increase for university lecturers.
- Other outstanding financial obligations allegedly owed to academic staff.
The union maintains that it has made several attempts to resolve the matter through negotiations.
However, the failure to reach an agreement resulted in the chapter declaring an indefinite strike.
The action is expected to remain in place until the issues raised by the union are addressed.
Imo State University ASUU Chapter Also Declares Strike
The situation is similar at Imo State University, Owerri, where the ASUU chapter has also commenced an indefinite strike.
The university's lecturers are protesting what they described as the failure of the Imo State Government to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
According to the union, it had waited for almost eight months for the agreement to be implemented.
ASUU noted that some other state-owned universities had already begun implementing provisions of the agreement, increasing pressure on authorities in Imo State to address the situation.
The Imo State University chapter said its grievances extend beyond the implementation of the agreement.
Among the issues highlighted by the union are alleged deductions involving the university's internally generated revenue, concerns over university autonomy, unpaid promotion arrears and outstanding salaries owed to some academic staff.
ASUU Raises Concerns Over University Autonomy
One of the issues highlighted by the Imo State University chapter concerns the handling of the institution's internally generated revenue.
The union alleged that the university's internally generated revenue continues to be deducted into the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
ASUU argued that the practice raises concerns about the financial autonomy of the institution.
University autonomy has remained an important issue in disputes between ASUU and government authorities, particularly regarding funding, administration and the ability of universities to manage their resources.
The Imo chapter also complained about alleged non-payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2016.
It further raised concerns about outstanding salaries owed to some members.
The union believes that these issues must be addressed before academic activities can return to normal.
What Does the ASUU Strike Mean for Students?
The latest industrial action could have a direct impact on students at the affected universities.
When academic staff withdraw their services, activities such as lectures, examinations, project supervision, postgraduate supervision and other academic responsibilities can be disrupted.
For students at Nasarawa State University and Imo State University, the immediate concern is how long the strikes will last.
The duration of an ASUU strike typically depends on the outcome of negotiations between the union and the relevant authorities.
If the governments and university managements reach agreements with the affected branches, academic activities could resume.
However, if negotiations fail to produce concrete commitments, the disruption could continue.
Students are therefore advised to monitor official announcements from their universities and ASUU chapters for information regarding resumption dates, examinations and other academic activities.
Will More Nigerian Universities Join the ASUU Strike?
There is currently a possibility that more university branches could embark on industrial action.
ASUU's NEC has already directed 20 branches to issue 14-day ultimatums before taking further action.
The outcome will depend largely on whether the grievances raised by individual branches are addressed before the deadlines expire.
Branches that reach agreements with their respective authorities may suspend further action, while those whose demands remain unresolved could proceed with strikes.
This makes the coming weeks important for Nigeria's university system.
The Federal Government and state governments will face increasing pressure to engage affected ASUU branches and prevent further disruption to academic activities.
ASUU and the 2025 Agreement
At the centre of the latest dispute is the implementation of the 2025 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government.
The union has repeatedly emphasised the need for government to honour agreements reached with academic staff.
For ASUU, implementation is important because several issues affecting lecturers' salaries, allowances and working conditions are connected to negotiated agreements.
The union's latest NEC resolution suggests that frustration over the pace of implementation has reached a new level.
The decision to give 20 branches 14-day ultimatums represents a significant escalation in the dispute.
Whether the situation develops into a wider national university strike will depend on the response of the relevant authorities.
What Happens Next?
The next stage is expected to involve negotiations between the affected ASUU branches and the relevant authorities.
For Nasarawa State University and Imo State University, the focus will be on resolving the specific grievances that led to the indefinite strikes.
For the other branches directed to issue 14-day ultimatums, the authorities have a limited window to address their demands.
If meaningful progress is made, the branches could suspend further industrial action.
However, failure to resolve the disputes could result in additional universities joining the strike movement.
The development has once again highlighted longstanding concerns about funding, staff welfare, university autonomy and the implementation of agreements within Nigeria's higher education sector.
The latest ASUU strike has disrupted academic activities at Nasarawa State University and Imo State University, while 20 additional university branches have been directed to begin processes that could lead to industrial action.
The union's NEC said its decision was driven by concerns over the slow implementation of the 2025 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government and unresolved issues in several state-owned universities.
At Nasarawa State University, the dispute centres largely on alleged unpaid entitlements exceeding N3 billion, including Earned Academic Allowance and salary-related adjustments.
At Imo State University, the union is demanding implementation of the 2025 agreement while also raising concerns about internally generated revenue, university autonomy, promotion arrears and outstanding salaries.
The coming days will be crucial as negotiations could determine whether the current disputes are resolved or whether more Nigerian universities join the industrial action.
For students and parents, the key issue remains the restoration of stable academic activities and the avoidance of prolonged disruption to the university calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ASUU Strike
1. Why are Nasarawa State University lecturers on strike?
The ASUU chapter at Nasarawa State University declared an indefinite strike over alleged unpaid entitlements reportedly exceeding N3 billion. The issues include Earned Academic Allowance, salary adjustments and other outstanding payments.
2. Why is Imo State University on strike?
The ASUU chapter at Imo State University commenced an indefinite strike over the alleged failure of the Imo State Government to implement the 2025 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government. The union also raised concerns about revenue deductions, university autonomy, promotion arrears and unpaid salaries.
3. How many ASUU branches have been directed to prepare for industrial action?
ASUU's National Executive Council authorised 20 university branches to begin processes towards possible industrial action.
4. What is the ASUU 14-day ultimatum?
The affected branches have been directed to issue 14-day ultimatums to the relevant authorities. If their demands are not addressed after the deadline, the branches may proceed with strike action.
5. Is there a nationwide ASUU strike?
The latest development does not automatically mean that every Nigerian university is on strike. Some branches have commenced indefinite strikes, while other branches have been directed to issue ultimatums before taking further action.
6. Will students at Nasarawa State University and Imo State University continue lectures?
Academic activities are expected to remain disrupted at the affected universities for as long as the indefinite strikes continue. Students should rely on official announcements from their institutions for updates on resumption and examinations.
7. What is the 2025 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government?
It refers to agreements reached between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government concerning issues affecting university lecturers, including staff welfare, remuneration and other matters related to Nigeria's university system.
8. Could more universities join the strike?
Yes. ASUU has directed 20 branches to issue 14-day ultimatums. Branches whose demands remain unresolved after their deadlines could proceed with industrial action.
9. What should students do during the ASUU strike?
Students should remain alert to official communication from their universities and ASUU chapters. They should avoid relying solely on unverified social media reports for information about examinations, lectures or resumption dates.
10. When will the ASUU strike end?
No definite end date has been announced in the information available. The duration will depend on negotiations and the resolution of the grievances raised by the affected ASUU chapters.
ASUU 2026 strike, Nasarawa State University strike, Imo State University strike, Nigerian universities strike, ASUU 14-day ultimatum, ASUU Federal Government agreement
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