University academic calendar set to be disrupted 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos chapter, has warned that Nigerian public universities may be heading towards another industrial crisis over the federal government’s alleged failure to fully implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement.

Chairman of the branch, Prof. Joseph Molwus, issued the warning on Monday during a press conference, expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the agreement signed on December 23, 2025.

Molwus said the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, which met at Modibbo Adama University on May 9 and 10, 2026, reviewed the level of implementation of the agreement and raised concerns over delays and distortions across federal and state universities.

“We bring you patriotic greetings on behalf of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos Branch. The National Executive Council of ASUU met at Modibbo Adama University on 9th and 10th May 2026 and reviewed the state of the union and the level of implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement,” he said.

He warned that growing frustration among lecturers could trigger another round of industrial unrest if the issues were not urgently addressed.

ASUU, however, commended Sa’adu Zungur University, Gadau, and Ekiti State University for fully implementing the salary component of the agreement, urging other institutions and governments to emulate them.

The union also faulted the federal government’s establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), describing it as unilateral and inconsistent with the agreement reached with ASUU.

It further criticised plans to denominate the fund in United States dollars, warning that such a move could expose the country to additional foreign debt risks.

On welfare issues, the union lamented the continued non-payment of three-and-a-half months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 strike, promotion arrears, salary shortfalls linked to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), unpaid wage awards, and unremitted third-party deductions.

ASUU maintained that lecturers had fulfilled all academic responsibilities following the suspension of the 2022 strike and should not be denied their entitlements.

The union also condemned recent education policy decisions, including the reversal of the Mother Tongue Policy, plans to establish a Coventry University campus in Nigeria, and proposals to scrap courses considered “irrelevant,” describing the measures as retrogressive.

It further expressed concern over worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and rising political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the situation could aggravate national instability.

ASUU called on both federal and state governments to urgently implement the agreement in full to avert another shutdown of public

universities nationwide.