The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has cautioned that 2025 could witness a prolonged confrontation with the Federal Government if unresolved issues in the education sector persist.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of the ASUU Ibadan chapter, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, the union criticized the government’s efforts in 2024 as “cosmetic” and accused it of neglecting the university system.
Akinwole emphasized that the uninterrupted academic calendar in 2024 was achieved through the union’s sacrifices rather than meaningful governmental action. He highlighted several unresolved issues, including:
Non-provision of funding for public university revitalization as per the FGN-ASUU MoUs (2012, 2013) and MoA (2017).
Withheld salaries and third-party deductions.
Arrears of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).
Proliferation of public universities without proper funding.
Non-implementation of the 2009 renegotiated FGN/ASUU Agreement and the replacement of IPPIS with UTAS.
Akinwole warned that unless the government addresses these challenges, 2025 might see renewed strikes and disruptions in the university system. He called on the Federal Government to prioritize education funding, review teachers’ remuneration, and tackle the high rate of out-of-school children.
ASUU also rejected proposed tax reform bills that would replace the education tax with a “development levy,” which the union argued would cripple the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). Established in 2011, TETFund has been a key source of infrastructure funding for public tertiary institutions. The reforms propose reducing TETFund’s share of revenue to 50% in 2025, eventually phasing it out entirely by 2030 to fund a federal student loan scheme.
“This policy threatens to destroy a major source of infrastructural funding for already struggling public tertiary institutions,” Akinwole stated, describing the move as an attempt to commodify education.
The union also criticized the 2025 national budget, which allocates only 7% of total expenditure to education, far below the 15%-20% recommended by UNESCO.
ASUU’s Demands for 2025
To avert further crises, ASUU outlined key expectations for the new year:
1. Immediate payment of withheld salaries and arrears of Earned Academic Allowances.
2. Signing of the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiated draft agreement.
3. Restoring university lecturers’ salaries to the African average, addressing currency depreciation.
4. Increased education funding, provision of basic facilities, and improved teacher welfare.
5. Ceasing attacks on TETFund and focusing on sustainable education reforms.
“Comrades, let us remain vigilant and brace for possible challenges in 2025 if our demands are not met. A people united can never be defeated,” Akinwole concluded.
