By Azi Peter, Jos
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Plateau State University (PLASU) Chapter, under the Bauchi Zone, has strongly criticized what it described as the lackadaisical attitude of both the Federal and State Governments toward the implementation of agreements reached with the union in December 2025.
Speaking during a press briefing in Jos, the Chairman of the branch, Dr. Choji Vincent, flanked by union executives, past chairmen, and members, expressed deep concern over the failure of government to inaugurate the implementation monitoring committee expected to facilitate the execution of the agreement.
According to Dr. Vincent, the implementation process has been hindered by distortions and inconsistencies across federal and state universities in the country. He noted that the union has observed with concern the selective payment of salary components contained in the agreement, including the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance.
Other outstanding allowances, he said, include the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), Professional Allowance (PA), and Responsibility Allowance.
“While some universities have implemented two or three of these allowances, others are yet to commence implementation due to the inability of both federal and state governments to provide the necessary funds,” he stated.
The chairman lamented that some state governments have argued that the agreement exists only between the Federal Government and ASUU, despite the active participation of state governments in the negotiation process that culminated in the signing of the agreement.
ASUU, however, commended Sa’adatu Rimi University, Bauchi, and Ekiti State University for leading the way in implementing the agreements and urged other universities to emulate them in order to avoid industrial unrest.
The union also faulted the Federal Government’s unilateral establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), stressing that ASUU had made repeated efforts with the government renegotiation team led by Yayale Ahmed to resolve all outstanding entitlements owed lecturers before the conclusion of the December 2025 agreement, but the efforts yielded no meaningful result.
Among the unresolved issues listed by the union are the 25/35 percent wage award arrears, promotion arrears, remittance of third-party deductions, salary shortfalls arising from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and the three-and-a-half months’ salary arrears withheld during the 2022 ASUU strike.
Dr. Vincent argued that the government’s “no work, no pay” stance was unjustified, noting that lecturers completed all academic work after the strike, while also engaging in research and community development activities during the period.
“No nation can thrive when the welfare of its academics is neglected,” he declared, adding that withholding lecturers’ emoluments reduces scholars to “menial workers whose livelihood is measured merely by physical presence at work sites.”
The union further lamented the neglect of retired lecturers, especially those from state-owned universities, whose pensions have reportedly remained unpaid for years.
ASUU also condemned the recent reversal of the mother tongue policy by the Minister of Education in favour of English language instruction in early childhood education. The union described the decision as retrogressive and insisted that the use of indigenous languages for teaching remains a standard practice in technologically advanced nations.
On the nation’s political situation, the union expressed worry over what it described as an increasingly tense political climate ahead of the 2027 general elections. ASUU warned that the prevailing economic hardship, insecurity, and poor social welfare conditions have left ordinary Nigerians vulnerable to exploitation by politicians.
The press briefing also featured an interactive session where journalists sought clarification on the timeline given to government for implementing the agreements, as well as peculiar challenges facing Plateau State University.
The union demanded improved working conditions within the institution, including stable electricity supply, water, internet facilities, and enhanced security.
While appreciating the efforts of the university management and the Plateau State Government toward the development of the institution, ASUU criticized the communication gap between the management and the union.
The chairman specifically condemned the issuance of a query to the branch secretary for conveying resolutions reached during the union’s congress to the university management.
“The management raised 16 charges against the secretary. We have confidence in him and remain solidly behind him,” Dr. Vincent declared.
The briefing ended with solidarity songs rendered by members of the union.