…Calls for solidarity from workers, students, and civil society
Kaduna, Nigeria — October 16, 2025: Socialist Labour has declared its full support for the ongoing warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), describing it as a necessary action to rescue Nigeria’s public universities from total collapse.
In a statement jointly signed by Dr. James Uanhoro and Dr. Izielen Agbon, the group lamented the chronic neglect of public universities by successive governments and said ASUU’s struggle represents the collective fight for quality, affordable education for all Nigerians.
According to Socialist Labour, Nigeria currently has 300 universities, comprising 74 federal, 67 state, and 156 private institutions. Despite the proliferation of private universities, only about 5.5% of students attend them, while the vast majority — over 2 million students — depend on the underfunded public university system.
“The children of the masses — workers, farmers, and the self-employed — attend public universities, while the children of the political elite study abroad or in expensive private institutions,” the group said.
Socialist Labour accused both military and civilian administrations of deliberately underfunding education while politicians “continue to steal billions of dollars of public wealth.” The statement noted that Nigeria’s current education budget under the Tinubu administration is barely 5%, far below the UN-recommended 26% and the levels agreed upon with ASUU decades ago.
History of Broken Promises
The organisation outlined a long history of unfulfilled agreements between ASUU and the Federal Government dating back to 1992, including multiple renegotiations in 1999, 2001, 2006, and 2009. It noted that since the signing of the 2009 agreement, the Federal Government has repeatedly failed to honour its commitments, instead setting up one committee after another.
“In just the last eight years, at least four new committees have been inaugurated — the Wale Babalakin Committee (2017), Munzali Jibrin Committee (2021), Nimi Briggs Committee (2022), and Yayale Ahmed Committee (2024). Yet none of their reports have been implemented,” Socialist Labour stated.
The group added that after ASUU’s 14-day ultimatum in September 2025, the Federal Government “once again set up another negotiation committee,” forcing the union to commence a two-week warning strike on October 13, 2025.
ASUU’s Core Demands
Socialist Labour reiterated ASUU’s key demands, which include:
- Conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee Draft (2021).
- Adequate funding for the revitalization of public universities.
- An end to the victimization of academics at Kogi State University and Lagos State University.
- Payment of withheld salaries and arrears from the 2022 strike.
- Release of unpaid staff entitlements affected by the IPPIS system.
- Remittance of outstanding deductions, including pensions and cooperative dues.
Call for Solidarity
Socialist Labour urged all trade unions, student bodies, and civil society organisations to unite in solidarity with ASUU, noting that the union’s victory would benefit all Nigerians.
“A victory for ASUU means the revival of public education, reduced school fees, improved learning conditions, and restored dignity for our campuses,” the statement read. “Education is a right, not a privilege. The fight to save our universities is the fight for Nigeria’s future.”
The group concluded by calling for an end to government neglect of public education and urged Nigerians to support ASUU’s cause “in the spirit of solidarity forever.”
— Procyon News
