The Academic Staff Union of Universities, nicknamed “ASUU,” is one of the most vocal pressure groups in Nigeria. The union, arguably notorious for strike actions, is an assemblage of academic scholars across public universities.
Many analysts argued that the inability of the union, ASUU, and the government to collaborate and negotiate peacefully has caused damaging impacts on Nigeria’s education system and, in turn, adversely impacted students.
The union has embarked on several strike actions. It has a history of notable strikes. For several years, ASUU has shut the gates of schools in protest of their demands.
Despite many strike actions, the government has yet to meet ASUU’s numerous demands. Schools will be closing, pupils will be deprived of education, and demands won’t still be met.
As the union prepares for another strike, some public affairs analysts argue that it is time for ASUU to think and devise a new strategy to convey their concerns and force the government to meet their requests.
Every Nigerian, particularly students, has continued to wonder and ponder when ASUU and the government would learn how to resolve issues amicably without shutting schools.
BACKGROUND
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was established in 1978. It was carved out from the Nigerian Association of University Teachers (NAUT) which was formed in 1965. NAUT was formed to promote the welfare of university lecturers.
ASUU was created to agitate for the interests of academic staff in public universities. The union is meant to play a key role on issues like better working conditions, adequate funding and independence of public universities.
NOTABLE STRIKE ACTIONS
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was formed in 1978. It emerged from the Nigerian Association of University Teachers (NAUT), which was established in 1965. NAUT was founded to enhance the wellbeing of university lecturers.
ASUU was formed to advocate for the interests of academic staff at public universities. The union is expected to play a vital role in topics such as improved working conditions, proper funding, and the independence of public universities.
THE 1999 ASUU STRIKE
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on her first-ever strike following the inception of civil rule, and it lasted for five months.
It is arguably the strike that set the stage for ongoing conflicts between the union and government.The 1999 ASUU strike action was caused as a result of demands of the union that were not met by the then Obasanjo-led administration.
The union demanded improved funding and conditions for public universities, which had deteriorated over time. It also sought better welfare packages for its members, such as increments in salary and payment of arrears.
The strike disrupted the academic calendar, causing delays for students and frustration for parents.
According to reports, the strike became lengthy due to the refusal of then President Olusegun Obasanjo to meet with ASUU in time for negotiation.
THE 2021 ASUU STRIKE
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on another strike in 2001, barely two years after its first strike in 1999 since the return of civil rule.
The strike was triggered by the Obasanjo administration’s refusal to fulfill the 1999 agreement between ASUU and the federal government.
The 1999 agreement included increased funding for universities, payment of salary arrears, and improved welfare for university staff. The union also demanded the reinstatement of 49 lecturers sacked at the University of Ilorin.
The strike lasted for three months. It disrupted the academic calendar and frustrated parents and students who attend public universities. After several weeks, the Obasanjo-led administration eventually agreed to negotiate with ASUU, which led to a resolution.
THE 2003 ASUU STRIKE
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) went on strike again in 2003.
The strike lasted for six months. It was prompted by the Obasanjo administration’s refusal to meet ASUU’s demands.
The union also urged that lecturers be promoted as soon as possible and expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government’s failure to follow their 1999 agreement.
The Obasanjo government eventually negotiated with the union, fulfilled some of the 1999 deal, and signed new accords, but the academic calendar had already been disrupted.
THE 2010 ASUU STRIKE
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) went on strike again in 2010.
The strike was prompted by the Jonathan administration’s refusal to fulfill the 2009 agreement between ASUU and the federal government.
The 2009 agreement was about improved funding for universities, payment of salary arrears and other entitlements, and revitalization of the university system.
ASUU also demanded the provision of funding for research and infrastructure development. It demanded university autonomy and academic freedom. The strike lasted for five months.
The Jonathan-led administration negotiated with ASUU, which led to some concessions and newer agreements.
The 2013 ASUU STRIKE
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on another strike in 2013.
The union demanded the implementation of the 2009 agreements, which focused on funding and welfare for universities.
It also included payment of earned academic staff salary promotions, payment of arrears, and implementation of the University Transformation Blueprints, among others.
The strike, which lasted for five months and 15 days, disrupted academic activities and frustrated both parents and students.ASUU called off the strike action without the government fulfilling any demand(s).
However, both had new agreements, which included commitments to address some of the demands of the union.
THE 2018 ASUU STRIKE
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on another strike in 2018.
The strike, which lasted for three months, started on November 4, 2018, and ended on February 7, 2019. It was the first strike action since Buhari became president in 2015.
The union demanded increased funding, improved infrastructure, and enhanced research capabilities. It also demanded better pay, benefits, and conditions for its members, including payment of earned allowances.
It also agitated for university autonomy, claiming that government initiatives like IPPIS—Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System—threaten the autonomy of public universities.
The strike was later called off after the union met with a government delegation led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.
According to reports, eight contentious issues that led to the strike were resolved.
THE 2020 ASUU STRIKE
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on another strike in 2020.
The strike action, which lasted for nine months, started on March 23, 2020, and ended on December 23, 2020.
The union demanded three key things, which are implementation of previous agreements, IPPIS exemption, and funding commitments.
The 2020 strike action arguably is the longest one ever in the history of ASUU.
The strike was later called off after a powerful government delegation led by Chris Ngige, then Minister of Labour and Productivity, met with the union.
THE 2025 ASUU STRIKE
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on another strike in January 2025, but it was later called off before the commencement of the strike action.
However, the union protested in the month of August and demanded the payment of three months’ arrears owed from the 2020 strike action. It also cited unpaid promotion and wage award arrears ranging from 25 to 35 months.
The union frowned at the continued neglect of their demands by the federal government and further rejected the FG loan scheme, asking the government to invest more in public universities.
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