At a press conference held on Tuesday at the Federal University Oye Ekiti, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Akure Zone, Professor Adeola Egbedokun, expressed deep frustration over what he described as the government’s persistent neglect of the union’s demands since President Bola Tinubu assumed office two years ago.
Egbedokun outlined the union’s grievances, which include the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, revitalisation of the university system, sustainable funding of tertiary education, settlement of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears, stagnated promotions for over four years, unremitted third-party deductions, and alleged victimisation of members in some institutions.
He stressed that lecturers have endured enough, noting:
“For over two years, we have kept faith with the promise of dialogue and refrained from strike actions, but our patience has reached its limits. Our resources are drained, our tanks are dry, and this long road cannot be traveled any further without genuine results.”
The ASUU leader further condemned the Federal Government’s handling of the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation report, which was submitted in February 2025. He described the government’s indifference as a “betrayal of trust and a clear insult to the principle of collective bargaining.”
Egbedokun also rejected the loan policy introduced by the Federal Government, warning members against embracing it.
“This loan policy is nothing but a crude distraction and a sinister snare. It is designed to suffocate our members, undermine our cooperative societies, and push them into perpetual bondage,” he said.
Calling for urgent intervention, ASUU urged the National Assembly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to caution the government against actions that could trigger an avoidable confrontation.
ASUU insisted that the government must act decisively ahead of its planned meeting on August 28, 2025, warning that any further delay could provoke consequences that would severely disrupt the nation’s education sector.
Meanwhile, Egbedokun disclosed that lecturers across the zone had staged peaceful rallies on Monday as a “test-run” for their next line of action should the government remain unresponsive.
He concluded that the ball was now firmly in the government’s court, stressing:
“If the government chooses provocation over responsibility, it alone must bear the consequences of the storm that will follow.”
