The fragile peace between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) appears to be crumbling, as the union has outrightly rejected a newly proposed Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF)—a loan initiative targeting all staff of tertiary institutions, with academic staff expected to lead the uptake.
At a press briefing held at the University of Jos, ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, condemned the TISSF as a “poisoned chalice,” asserting that what university lecturers need is not loans but long-overdue wage improvements as captured in the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
“Our members are already overwhelmed with debt. This loan scheme would only enslave them further, drain cooperative societies, and leave families struggling,” Piwuna said.
He accused the Federal Government of deliberately stalling key negotiations, particularly the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and the payment of withheld salary arrears, while also neglecting to act on the Yayale Ahmed Report submitted in February 2025.
ASUU issued a stern warning that it may be compelled to embark on industrial action if the government continues to ignore the union’s longstanding grievances.
While acknowledging an upcoming government meeting scheduled for August 28, ASUU expressed doubt over the Federal Government’s sincerity. The union emphasized that key issues remain unresolved ranging from conditions of service, university autonomy, academic freedom, to a review of laws governing JAMB and the NUC.
Piwuna noted that ASUU had exercised patience for over two years, but the continued silence and inaction from the government have pushed the union to the edge.
“Trust has been broken by the government. It’s now their responsibility to restore it to prevent another disruption in the academic calendar” he said.
ASUU also slammed the Federal Government’s unregulated establishment of universities, describing the trend as political rather than academic. The union called for a moratorium on the creation of both public and private universities, warning that the unchecked proliferation undermines quality and global competitiveness.
Additionally, ASUU highlighted the dire condition of retired university staff under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), revealing that many are surviving on as little as ₦150,000 per month despite years of service.
“This is not just unjust—it’s inhumane. Our retired colleagues, many of whom are battling chronic illnesses, deserve better,” the union stated.
Reiterating its demands—renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement, revitalization of public universities, improved funding, and an end to staff victimization—ASUU warned that the onus is now on the Federal Government.
“We’ve exhausted every peaceful avenue. If another strike becomes inevitable, Nigerians must understand that it is the Federal Government’s inaction that triggered it,” Piwuna concluded.
