THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed 20 state-owned universities across Nigeria to prepare for an indefinite strike over delays and uneven implementation of the 2025 agreement reached between the Federal Government and the union.
The affected universities are expected to begin the process with a 14-day ultimatum to their respective governments.
If their demands are not addressed within the period, the institutions may proceed with industrial action.
The decision was reached during ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026.
The union said the planned action was linked to problems surrounding the implementation of the agreement, particularly payments and funding required to meet commitments made to university lecturers.
The 2025 agreement was signed by the Federal Government and ASUU on January 14 after several years of negotiations.
Talks between both sides had been ongoing for years before a government committee and the union concluded the renegotiation process in December 2025.
The agreement was designed to address some of the long-standing issues affecting lecturers in public universities.
It includes provisions for the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, Earned Academic Allowance and Professorial Allowance, among other matters relating to the welfare and working conditions of academic staff.
However, the implementation has not been uniform across state universities. Many state governments are yet to meet their financial responsibilities under the agreement, leaving lecturers in several institutions waiting for payments and other benefits.
Available reports indicate that only about 10 state universities have fully implemented the agreement, while more than 57 others are still facing difficulties with its implementation.
ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, said the union’s national leadership had reviewed the situation and agreed that affected institutions should take steps towards industrial action if the outstanding issues were not resolved.
The union also expressed concern about what it described as delays by the Federal Government in providing the financial support needed for the full implementation of the agreement.
The universities listed for the planned action include 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; and University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa.
Others are Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo; Kaduna State University; Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil; Northwest University, Kano; Enugu State University of Science and Technology; Imo State University; Niger Delta University; University of Africa, Toru-Orua; Bayelsa Medical University; and Taraba State University, Jalingo.
The planned strike could affect academic activities in the listed institutions if the issues are not resolved before the expiration of the 14-day notice.