The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared an indefinite strike at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), over the alleged non-implementation of the 2025 agreement between the federal government and the union, as well as unresolved local issues affecting the institution. The strike began on Monday, 10 August, according to the union's branch chairman, Zubairu Loko, who announced the decision at a press conference in Keffi. The union’s decision came after a branch congress that concluded the failure to implement agreements reached with the government had left them with no reasonable alternative. Loko stated that the union had exhausted all avenues of dialogue without achieving satisfactory results, and that the strike was a last resort to ensure the implementation of agreed terms. Loko emphasized that the union had exercised considerable restraint and pursued dialogue in the interests of the university, its students, and the broader community. He reiterated that the agreements reached between the government and the union must be respected and implemented. The strike follows a decision by ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) to authorize 20 university branches to initiate industrial action due to the alleged slow implementation of the 2025 agreement. This decision was taken during a meeting held at the University of Abuja on 8 and 9 August 2026. ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, stated that affected branches were authorized to issue 14-day ultimatums before commencing strikes if their demands were not met. The list of affected universities includes Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai; 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. Other institutions impacted include the University of Africa, Toru-Orua; Bayelsa Medical University; Ambrose Alli University; Kaduna State University; Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology; and Northwest University, Kano. However, ASUU chapters at NSUK and Imo State University have already begun indefinite strikes. At NSUK, the union’s grievances extend beyond the implementation of the federal agreement. The branch cited outstanding payments estimated at more than N3 billion, including Earned Academic Allowance, consequential adjustments from the national minimum wage, and the federal government-approved salary increase for university lecturers. Loko explained that the branch had engaged the university management, governing council, and the Nasarawa State Government on these issues without success. He stated that the union had withdrawn its services, declaring there would be no teaching, supervision, or research until the funds were released. The union also appealed to the federal government, Nasarawa State Government, the university’s governing council, and other stakeholders to intervene and resolve the issues. In addition to the financial disputes, ASUU has criticized the political class for posing a significant threat to Nigeria’s security, citing rising political killings, thuggery, and pre-election violence as potential catalysts for a major crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections. The union warned that the political atmosphere was becoming increasingly toxic, driven by entrenched politics of bitterness and winner-takes-all. It accused the ruling class of exacerbating the country’s problems through corruption, procurement violations, and failure to prioritize critical infrastructure. ASUU also challenged claims by the Rural Electrification Agency regarding the installation of solar farms at Nigerian universities, stating that many of the installations were either non-functional or frequently broke down. Furthermore, ASUU expressed dissatisfaction with the continued non-payment of outstanding salaries owed to lecturers, which totalled three-and-a-half months. The union recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had initially paid four of the seven-and-a-half months withheld by the previous administration, but the remaining balance remained unpaid. Lecturers had made significant sacrifices to recover lost academic time, and the union argued that paying the outstanding balance would help restore industrial harmony. ASUU also demanded immediate payment of the 25/35 per cent wage award and promotion arrears, warning that delays were increasing frustration among lecturers. The union cautioned that the haphazard implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement could lead to renewed unrest on university campuses.
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