By Ani Ruth, Ezesinachi Chikezie and Azubuike Kosisochukwu

Enugu – The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) celebrated “ASUU Day 2025” on Thursday, 27 November at the Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Auditorium with a renewed call for members welfare

Acting Chairperson of the Academic Staff ASUU-ESUT Branch, Comrade Andrew Apeh reaffirmed the union’s commitment to building a better nation through quality teaching, research and community service.

Apeh who made this known while speaking on Thursday at the 2025 ASUU Day celebration held at Governor Peter Mbah Auditorium, ESUT main campus, Agbani, stated, “As academic staff, we must continue to strive for excellence, inspiring our students and contributing to the growth of our nation.”

The Union Leader said, “As a union, we must remain united and focused on our welfare purposes. Our welfare is our fundamental rights, and it’s time we demand it be addressed without politicization!
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Quoting Late South Africa President, Nelson Mandela who said, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail”, Apeh charged his members to rise for their rights.

“Our spirit of unionism must be re-energized for good. No one can offer what they don’t have. We must be the change we seek. Let us unite and demand better welfare, better working conditions and a better future for ourselves and families!
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According to him, the theme of the 2025 ASUU Day entitled: “Empowering Academics and Enhancing Wellness”, is apt and timely, pointing out, “Our welfare is not a privilege, it’s a right!

“We deserve a salary review aligned with the national benchmark, and the 25% and 35% wage award increments implemented in other state and federal universities.

“He lamented, “As of today, it pains greatly to see our counterparts in other state and federal universities receiving double of our salary for almost a year now. And even waiting for a better review in few days to come, and here in ESUT, we are battling with survival because of our paltry salary which no longer meets the reality of the economic situation of our moment.

“It is time we caught up! Our Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) is another pressing issue. Since 2008, it’s been pending and we can’t wait any longer. We urge our government and ESUT Management to address this as an urgent call, special plights and mainstream our EAA.

Also speaking, Comrade Zubairu Abdulmumini Loko, Chairperson ASUU Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), noted that the uncompromising spirit of solidarity has been the spirit that has kept ASUU alive, unbroken, unbent, and unbowed for decades in this country.

“Academics in Nigeria live between intellectual excellence and national frustration. We teach like philosophers but are paid like apprentices. We produce research that transforms nations, yet struggle with facilities that belong in museums.

On empowering Academics, he said, “The Struggle Continues. Empowerment is not a slogan – it is a struggle. It is what ASUU has defended for over forty years, often at great personal cost.
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According to him, “Empowerment means: Salaries that can survive the month, not disappear like a missed call. Research grants that can actually fund research, not only printing of proposals Infrastructure that respects our academic dignity. Autonomy that protects our universities from political interference and administrative overreach.
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“Let me repeat: No nation jokes with its academics and expects serious development. If Nigerian academics are empowered today, Nigeria will be transformed tomorrow. But if academics remain overworked, undervalued, overstressed, and underpaid, then we are simply fueling a crisis while hoping for a miracle.”

Speaking on enhancement of wellness, Loko noted that even lions rest, stressing, “Wellness is not weakness; it is strategy.
Comrades, you cannot lead a revolution with blood pressure higher than school fees. You cannot fight for autonomy when your backbone is begging for physiotherapy. You cannot supervise students effectively when your eyesight is battling with stress-induced blur.
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Loko, therefore, charged his colleagues at ESUT to remain united, because disunity is the weapon of oppressors.
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“Mentor younger academics, because the struggle is generational Strengthen our branches, because strong branches build a powerful union. Guard our wellness, because a weak academic cannot defend a strong cause. Speak boldly, because silence is complicity. If we do these, the system will hear us — and if the system refuses to hear, we shall speak louder.”
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Earlier, Comrade Ofukwu Raphael Agbo, National Resource Person, chastised Nigeria university professors for being docile in the face of oppression and social injustice.
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Agbo who categorized professors into three, noted that many of them cannot speak to power because of politicization and fear of unknown.
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He noted, “ASUU remains the last moral firewall protecting Nigerian universities from total collapse. Someone must speak truth to power, even when power pretends to be deaf.”
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Some of the activities held at the event were medical check up, health speeches and panel discussion followed by question and answer session.
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The high points of the event were the recognition and reward of retired and deceased members as well as celebration of newly promoted ASUU Professors. There were also recognition of Ex-ASUU Leaders and former ASUU-ESUT leaders. Nineteen Professors were promoted in 2023 while 15 were promoted in 2024, respectively.

The ASUU, ESUT branch also took a significant step in fulfilling its commitment to its members by paying out membership retirement and death benefits.

During the event, ASUU ESUT presented a cheque of ₦400,000 each to its retired members and the families of deceased members, bringing relief to those who have dedicated their lives to the institution.

The gesture underscored the union’s dedication to the welfare of its members, ensuring that their hard work and service are recognized and rewarded. The payment is part of the union’s membership welfare package, aimed at supporting members in their time of need

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that it will resume its nationwide strike if an agreement is not reached with the Federal Government at the expiration of its one-month ultimatum.

ASUU Kano Zonal Coordinator Abdulkadir Muhammad gave the warning on Monday in Kano during a news conference after the zone’s meeting.

The lecturers in October suspended their warning strike with a month-long ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet their demands, which centred around their welfare and providing a conducive teaching and learning environment.

Muhammad decried what he described as a sluggish approach to renegotiating key agreements aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s public university system.

The meeting had representatives from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; Bayero University Kano (BUK); and Kaduna State University (KASU).

Others were Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil; Federal University Dutse (FUD); Northwest University (NWU), Kano; and Sule Lamido University (SLUK), Kafin Hausa.

Muhammad said this followed the report presented at ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Nov. 8 and 9 at Taraba State University.

He said NEC expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the ongoing renegotiation between the union and the government, describing it as a major obstacle to concluding the process meaningfully.

He said the suspension of the strike in October was meant to create an enabling environment and a gesture of goodwill toward Nigerians.

“However, our hope for a holistic and timely resolution of the issues is increasingly being dashed.

“It is unfortunate that some government functionaries employ different tactics to undermine the renegotiation process and misinform the public on the state of our engagements,” he told newsmen.

He said that the government had yet to show genuine commitment to improving lecturers’ welfare or addressing the conditions that fuel brain drain in the university system.

“What government has offered will neither improve the working conditions of academics nor attract scholars from other countries to our universities,” he said.

According to him, it is unfortunate that some government officials claim that ASUU demands have been met.

He urged the Federal Government to place a moratorium on the establishment of state universities, as it did for federal universities.

“Governors have cultivated the habit of establishing universities in their states without commitment to funding them,” he said. (NAN)

Meanwhile, ASUU also declared on its social media handle, X (formerly Twitter) that all universities in the country would be shutdown from Friday.

“ALL UNIVERSITY (Sic) WILL BE CLOSED NATIONWIDE TILL FURTHER NOTICE ON FRIDAY!” – it said.

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Sunday declared a two-week total and comprehensive warning strike across all public universities in Nigeria.

The announcement was made by the National President of the Union, Prof. Chris Piwuna, at an ongoing press briefing in Abuja on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

“Compatriots of the press, it goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on the ground to stop the implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the 14-day notice given on the 28th September 2025.

“Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, the 13th October, 2025.

 “The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting,” Piwuna said.

The latest standoff between the university lecturers and the Federal Government comes despite ongoing negotiations aimed at averting another round of industrial action in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

On Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed in Abuja that the government had entered the final phase of talks with ASUU and other unions to resolve lingering disputes over welfare, funding, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

Alausa noted that the Tinubu administration had already made significant progress with the release of N50bn for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, while another N150bn had been captured in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be disbursed in three tranches.

Punch

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Activities in public universities across the country could be disrupted soon as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government within which to address its seven-point demands.

The union said the decision followed a meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC), which was held on Sunday at the University of Abuja. The National President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, made this known in a copy of the strike notice he signed and made available to newsmen yesterday in Abuja.

“At the National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on September 28, 2025, the union decried the neglect of the university system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.

“Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an ultimatum of 14 days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the 14-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and, thereafter, a total and indefinite strike,” Piwuna said in the notice.

The ASUU President listed the seven-point demands of the union to include re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement; sustainable funding of universities; revitalisation of universities; victimisation of ASUU members in Lagos State University (LASU), KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO).

Others are outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears; promotion arrears for over four years, as well as third-party deductions. It would be recalled that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, had set up a committee headed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abel Enitan, to look into a proposal for ASUU, in a bid to ensure stability across universities.  However, the committee has yet to make any decision known to the public.

In the meantime, stakeholders gathered in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, yesterday to assess the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) on its strengths and weaknesses.

They also deliberated on ways to enhance the essence of the Fund’s establishment in 2011. At the 2025 TETFund Board of Trustees Townhall meeting for North-Central, the participants, mainly actors in the education sector, including heads of tertiary institutions and state government officials, appreciated President Bola Tinubu for injecting enough vigour into the Fund’s optimal performance.

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kamoru Kadiri, agreed that the school had never enjoyed better attention and support before the creation of TETFund.

He said his institution has benefited from over N4 billion in grants and support for research, infrastructural development, as well as maintenance, workshop and general capacity building businesses.

The Guardian

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The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has revealed that a federal university in Nigeria has about 1,200 staff members despite having less than 800 students.

Mr Alausa’s comments came as he tried to justify the Nigerian government’s decision to place a seven-year ban on the establishment of additional federal tertiary institutions.

Speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the presidential villa on Wednesday, the minister described such situations as a waste of government resources.

“Let me give you specific examples of one university in one of the regions in the country. They have less than 800 students, and they have a staff strength of 1200,” he said.

“This is the commonality in our federal institutions. Several federal universities today have less than 2000 students. So, it’s just a waste of government resources.”

Mr Alausa did not name the university. However, it is likely to be one of the newly established federal universities.

Premium Times reported how the government created more than eight universities in less than two years.

He said the challenge with Nigeria’s tertiary institutions was not access, noting that the government would rather improve the quality of the existing ones.

Mr Alausa had directed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), an intervention agency for Nigerian tertiary institutions, to use the institutions’ 2025 funding for the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure.

The minister earlier decried the proliferation of bills for the creation of universities at the National Assembly, calling on the lawmakers to stop considering such bills.

According to him, there were over 200 bills seeking the creation of federal universities in parts of the country.

Funding crisis in tertiary institutions

Meanwhile, the existing Nigerian tertiary institutions currently struggle with underfunding from the federal government.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the largest lecturers’ union in the country, had routinely decried the proliferation of universities.

ASUU said the government had developed a habit of establishing universities, leaving their funding entirely to TETFund, straining the intervention agency’s resources.

Also, persistent underfunding has remained a key source of conflict between university workers and the government.

ASUU recently warned of an imminent strike over the government’s failure to conclude the renegotiation of an agreement with the union.

The agreement, which largely covers funding for the universities and the academics’ welfare, was first signed in 2009 with an agreement of a period of renegotiation.

However, renegotiation efforts in 2013, 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2024 have stalled with successive governments failing to sign the draft agreements.

The last committee, inaugurated in October 2024 and chaired by the Pro-Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Yayale Ahmed, submitted its draft report to the government eight months ago.

But the government has yet to sign or begin the implementation.

Premium Times

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Faculty of Management Sciences (FMS) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) ESUT Branch have expressed deep sadness and shock over the death of Dr Virginia Nnenna Onyeka.

Dr Onyeka, a staff of the Accountancy Department in ESUT, died on Monday, May 26, 2025 after a brief illness at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.

In separate condolence messages signed by , the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Professor Uche Ugwuanyi and the Acting Chairperson, ASUU-ESUT, Dr Andrew Apeh, respectively, they mourned the departure of Dr Onyeka and also paid glowing tributes to her selfless and dedicated services to the university and humanity.

In his sympathy messages, Prof Ugwuanyi said the faculty would miss her passion and dedication to work.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our dear colleague, Dr. Mrs. Virginia Nnenna Onyeka, Associate Professor of Accountancy Department and active member of our Faculty Welfare Committee. Her dedication, passion, and contributions to our faculty will be deeply missed.
“May her gentle soul rest in peace,” he said.

On his part, Dr Apeh who described her death as a “profound sadness”, extended the union’s condolences to the family and asked God to grant her soul heavenly repose. He extolled her commitment and contributions to the Union stressing that her passing created a vacuum.

“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of our dear colleague, Associate Prof. Virginia Nnenna Onyeka of the Department of Accountancy. On behalf of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) ESUT branch, I extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family.

“We pray that the Almighty God grants her gentle soul eternal rest in heaven. May the family find solace and strength during this difficult time. We enjoin all ASUU members to continue praying for her soul to find rest and for the family to bear this great loss with fortitude.

“Prof. Virginia Nnenna Onyeka was a dedicated academic staff and a valued member of ASUU ESUT, known for her hard work and commitment. Her contributions to the union and the university will be deeply missed,” Dr Apeh said.

It could be recalled that Dr Virginia Nnenna Onyeka was recently promoted to the rank of Reader (Associate Professor) in the university before her death this week.

Late Onyeka died following a major surgery at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi, has embarked on an indefinite strike to demand improved working conditions from the university’s administration.

The announcement came after an emergency congress held at the Yuli Campus in Bauchi. Comrade Awwal Hussain Nuhu, the ASUU Chairperson for the SAZU branch, said the union had exhausted all available mechanisms to resolve the issues, but efforts to engage the university’s management and government yielded no results.

“After extensive deliberations, a member proposed a motion for a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action, which was seconded by another member,” Nuhu stated. The congress then passed a resolution to begin the strike at 12:00 PM on Friday, November 29, 2024.

He emphasized that during the strike, members are directed to halt all academic activities, including teaching, marking, meetings, and accreditation processes, until further notice. The decision underscores the union’s frustration over what it perceives as a lack of readiness and commitment by the authorities to address its demands.

ASUU has called on all its members at SAZU to comply fully with the resolution, as the strike will persist until the union’s concerns are adequately addressed.

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Dr Dr. Andrew Chiahalam Apeh of the Department of Mass Communication on Wednesday emerged the new Vice Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU ESUT Branch.

Dr Apeh was, in the bye elections conducted at the Senate Building ESUT, returned elected as the sole candidate who declared interest for the position.

The position of Vice Chairman of the union became vacant following the resignation of Dr Chukwu Peter who was earlier elected into the role

In the bye election, Dr Apeh was elected unopposed after several Professors who had declared interest withdrew from the race.

Similarly, Prof Leo Chukwu was also elected new Treasurer of the union, unopposed.

The two new Executive Council members of ASUU-ESUT were immediately sworn-in.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Apeh promised to work “tirelessly” for the transformation of the union.

“Your massive vote of confidence is a testament to your belief in my ability to lead and serve our ASUU-ESUT union. I am deeply humbled and honored to emerge as your chosen vice chairman.

“I pledge to work tirelessly towards a transformative ASUU ESUT, prioritizing quality staff welfare and a conducive work atmosphere for all members.

“I appreciate the contributions of everyone who ensured a transparent and successful election process.

“Special thanks also to my contenders who demonstrated exceptional trust in me by stepping down, allowing me to emerge unopposed. Your selflessness and commitment to our union’s progress are truly commendable.

“As your vice chairman, I assure you of my dedication to teamwork, inclusiveness, and listening governance. Together with my fellow excos, I am committed to negotiating, dialoguing, and collaborating until we meet the basic needs of at least 99% of our members,” Dr Apeh did.

It could be recalled that Dr Apeh in the build-up to the election, resigned from his position as Assistant Secretary to vie for the Vice Chairmanship.

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By Timothy Nwobodo

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists, (NAAT) ESUT branches have commended the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie on his evidential two years administration and promised to sustain their respective support.

The two unions through their various leaders made the commendations in separate interviews with ESUT Monitor.

 ASUU Chairman in ESUT, Professor Chinedu Aguba described Prof Okolie as a “God sent” to ESUT disclosing that his two years in office have helped to consolidate unionism in the institution.

He noted that as the former chairman of the union in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof Okolie has brought his wealth of experience to bear in ensuring a smooth and healthy relationship between the management and the ASUU through timely release of their checkoff dues, regular payment of staff salary, and promotion of deserving staff as well as inclusive administration.

“I am surprised that the Vice-Chancellor has clocked two years in office, I feel like he just started yesterday. The fact is that I regard him as God sent in ESUT because the past two years have been pragmatically evidential in ESUT. The Vice-Chancellor has left no one in doubt about his vision for ESUT.

“As a former chairman of our union in UNN where he came from, he understands the structure of ASUU and has been able to create a smooth and healthy relation between the management and the union. For the past two years, our checkoff dues are released timely, our members’ salaries are paid and those who are due for promotion have been elevated, we have not been owed a dime. These are evidential and the cardinal principles that sustain effective unionism in ESUT unlike what we used to have before. He is a visionary leader and ASUU will always be by his side to sustain the momentum” he said.

On her part, the Chairperson, NAAT, ESUT Branch, Comrade Onyia Anthonia Nkeiruka, lauded the ESUT Management under Professor Okolie in the past two years in sustaining the dreams of the founding fathers dreams as well as bringing innovations to the school.

Comrade Onyia noted that in the past two years, unlike what were obtainable prior, her members have not been owed their monthly remuneration adding that their checkoff dues has also be regularly released to enable them sustain their association.  

“The entire members of the National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT), ESUT Branch felicitate with you, our amiable Vice-Chancellor, on your two years in office. You have made a landmark within these few years which include: payment of bulk of arrears of checkoff dues, promotion of our members and salaries owned to the unions and workers of ESUT.

“ESUT workers now come to work as at when due, and so many other innovative achievements. No wonder you are called “Talk and Do” Vice-Chancellor. Our Great leader, NAAT will always be supportive of your administration to take our university to greater heights,” she said.

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The Federal Government on Wednesday announced the exemption of Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) payment platform

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) passed the resolution during its weekly meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja

The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Maman, said the heads of the institutions got relief to embark on recruitment exercise without recourse to the Head of Service of the Federation.

The minister said the president had directed that the Vice Chancellor be taken out of the platform that made recruitment difficult to ensure efficient management of those education institutions.

“Simply, the president and the council is just concerned about efficiency of management of the universities and so it has nothing to do with integrity or options of platforms.

“The president cannot understand why Vice Chancellors should be leaving their duty post and run to Abuja to get staff enlisted on IPPIS when they get recruited.

 “The basic concern is that universities are governed by laws. And those laws give them autonomy in certain respects and most respects and the IPPIS has sort of eroded that autonomy granted universities in accordance with their act,” Mamman said.

In his contribution, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, said: “The universities and other tertiary institutions have gotten a very big relief from the integrated personnel payroll and information system. You will recall that the university authorities and the others have been clamouring for the exemption of the universities and other tertiary institutions from this system.

 “What that means in simple language is that the university authorities and other tertiary institutions will now be paying their own personnel from their own end instead of relying on the IPPIS.”

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