Amanze Chinonye
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the Federal Government of withholding ₦50 billion meant for the revitalisation of federal universities and threatened to resume its suspended strike in two weeks if the funds are not released.
The union also demanded the immediate sack of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Maruf Alausa, whom it described as “grossly incompetent and unfit” to manage the nation’s education sector.
ASUU’s renewed confrontation with the government follows the expiration of half of the four-week ultimatum it gave the Federal Government on October 22, 2025, to fulfil its promises or face industrial action.
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In a statement signed by the Chairman of ASUU, University of Jos (UNIJOS) chapter, Prof Jurbe Joseph Molwus, the union said it was “sad and embarrassing” that the ₦50 billion revitalisation fund claimed to have been released by the government weeks ago had not reached the universities.
“Even the ₦50 billion revitalisation fund the Federal Government claimed to have released some weeks ago is yet to reach the universities. We do not know why the Minister of Education is still keeping it,” the statement read.
The union also dismissed as “fictional” the Minister’s recent claim that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦2.3 billion to clear salary and promotion arrears in all federal universities.
“As we speak right now, university workers have yet to receive any such alerts. So, the Minister’s claim of clearing the backlog may be in the fiction of his imagination,” ASUU said.
Molwus described the ₦2.3 billion as “a drop in the ocean”, adding that the amount “can hardly take care of three big universities in Nigeria.”
‘Credit alerts, not press releases’
The union said that as it mobilises for its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for November 8 and 9, 2025, it expects the government to have paid outstanding entitlements such as the 3.5 months of withheld salaries, 25/35 percent wage award arrears, earned academic allowances, and unpaid promotion arrears.
“What we need is credit alerts, not misleading press releases,” the union said, accusing Dr Alausa of resorting to rhetoric instead of genuine engagement.
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ASUU maintained that its last strike was suspended “as a mark of respect and demonstration of goodwill in collective bargaining,” warning that the government should not take its patience for weakness.
“We hereby call on the press, students, parents, and the general public to urge the Federal Government to do the needful so that ASUU is not blamed if and when it resumes its suspended strike in the next two weeks,” the union added.
FG insists funds released
However, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Education, insists that the ₦50 billion revitalisation fund has been released. Alausa explained that delays in remitting the money to universities were due to administrative and documentation issues.
“The Federal Government has addressed every single request presented by ASUU. The ₦50 billion revitalisation fund has been approved and released. If there are delays, they are due to administrative bottlenecks within the universities themselves,” Alausa said in an earlier statement.
President Tinubu has reportedly directed the Ministry of Education to ensure the dispute is resolved without further disruption to the academic calendar.
ASUU questions minister’s competence
In its statement, ASUU went further to question the competence of Dr Alausa, accusing him of lacking the capacity to understand or resolve the challenges facing Nigerian universities.
“Perhaps the Honourable Minister lacks the capacity to oversee the ministry, talk less of addressing the demands of ASUU. If President Tinubu truly desires to make history by ending the age-long dispute with university unions, he needs to replace Dr Alausa with someone who understands the system,” the union said.
The group also criticised the Minister of State for Education for failing to leverage her background in the university system to guide the ministry toward meaningful dialogue.
The four-week ultimatum issued by ASUU will lapse on November 21, 2025. Should the government fail to meet the union’s demands by that date, a nationwide shutdown of public universities appears imminent.
Despite assurances from the Education Ministry, ASUU maintains that until the alleged ₦50 billion revitalisation fund and other entitlements are physically disbursed, it will not accept any further verbal commitments.
“Our members are losing patience as they wait to receive alerts of their legitimate entitlements and a signed agreement with the Federal Government. Solidarity forever,” the statement concluded.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
