Uncertainty has gripped public universities nationwide as the one-month ultimatum issued by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to the Federal Government expires today, Friday, November 20, 2025.
ASUU has warned that the government must act decisively and in good faith to address all lingering issues or risk plunging the nation’s university system into another major crisis.
The union accused the Federal Government of misrepresenting its offers and cherry-picking agreements previously reached. According to ASUU, the government has been presenting partial payments of long-overdue promotion arrears dating back to 2017, release of third-party deductions, and other pending entitlements as significant achievements — a narrative the union says is misleading and harmful to genuine negotiation efforts.
The National Executive Council (NEC) also faulted the government for what it described as a persistent lack of commitment to education, arguing that authorities continue to treat the sector as a commercial venture instead of a critical public good necessary for national development.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the Sokoto Zonal Coordinator, Professor Abubakar Sabo, said the NEC was deeply troubled by the government’s inconsistent and uncoordinated approach to negotiations. He warned that failure to address these concerns could lead to severe consequences for the university system.
Professor Sabo recalled that in October, ASUU held an emergency NEC meeting where it suspended a two-week warning strike to create room for meaningful dialogue. He noted that the decision was taken in appreciation of the overwhelming support received from students, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and other concerned Nigerians.
“We expected that the opportunity would be used to achieve a swift and comprehensive resolution, but nothing has changed,” he said.
Sabo also highlighted the worsening challenges facing state universities within the zone — nine institutions in total — attributing the crises to the actions and inactions of state governments. He cited Shehu Shagari University of Education, which has been operating without a governing council, and Sokoto State University (SSU), which continues to struggle with unpaid third-party deductions, union dues, and outstanding promotion and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) arrears.
With the ultimatum now expired, all eyes are on the Federal Government and ASUU as the fate of millions of students hangs in the balance.
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