By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Calabar Zone, has warned that it may declare a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike in the coming days following the Federal Government’s alleged failure to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement.
Speaking during a press conference on Monday at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), union leaders said the government’s “inconsistency, insensitivity and dilatory approach” to negotiations had pushed the public university system toward another major disruption.
The press briefing, held under the theme “Unresolved Renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement: Imminent Danger to Industrial Harmony in the Nigerian University System,” brought together ASUU chairpersons from institutions across the Calabar Zone, including UNICROSS, UNICAL, UNIUYO, UEE, ABSU, AKSU, FUNAI, and EBSU.
The union said it had exhausted all conciliatory avenues and would no longer tolerate what it described as “broken promises, shattered dreams, and deepening crises” in the tertiary education sector.
The union recalled that it issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government earlier in the year, followed by a two-week warning strike that was suspended on 22 October 2025 after appeals from well-meaning Nigerians, the Nigeria Labour Congress, parents and students. To allow for meaningful dialogue, ASUU granted a four-week grace period set to expire on 21 November 2025.
However, the union said the government had done little to address the core issues during this period.
According to the zonal leadership, the only actions taken so far include the partial payment of 2017 promotion arrears and the release of some withheld third-party deductions, which the union described as “a paltry sum” compared with the total debts owed academic staff.
READ ALSO: UNICAL: Court jails Prof Ndifon for 5 years over sexual harassment
ASUU leaders insisted that the fundamental issues remain unresolved. These include the conclusion and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 Agreement; improved funding for revitalisation of university infrastructure; fair remuneration; respect for university autonomy; academic freedom; and an end to what they called the “undue proliferation” of universities without sustainable funding.
They argued that the government’s posture was weakening the system, worsening brain drain, and pushing Nigerian universities to the brink of collapse. The union also criticised what it sees as government’s lack of political will to prioritise public education, citing FAAC figures that show significant increases in allocations to states and the Federal Government between 2022 and 2024.
ASUU maintained that its demands were not for personal enrichment but for the survival of public universities and the future of Nigerian students.
The union demanded the immediate release of all withheld salaries, payment of outstanding wage awards with consequential adjustments, refund of third-party deductions, release of revitalisation funds, and adherence to UNESCO’s recommendation that at least 15–26 per cent of the national budget be allocated to education.
The zonal leadership stressed that any impending strike would be the direct consequence of government’s refusal to meet its obligations, insisting that stakeholders — including traditional leaders, parents, students and labour unions — should hold the Federal Government responsible should industrial harmony collapse.
ASUU concluded by reaffirming its commitment to defending public education, saying it would remain “unbowed and unwavering” until the government honours its commitments.
Converseer reports ASUU leaders who signed the statement include Comrade Ikechuku O. Igwenyi, Zonal Coordinator, Calabar; Comrade Happiness Uduk, IPZC, Calabar Zone; Comrade Chidi Mba Chairperson, ASUU ABSU; Comrade Frank Namso Ndareke Chairperson, ASUU AKSU and Comrade Joseph S. Igwe Chairperson, ASUU EBSU.
Others include Comrade Louis O. Omenyi Chairperson, ASUU FUNAI; Comrade Patrick Ushie Chairperson, ASUU UNICROSS; Comrade Peter Ubi Chairperson, ASUU UNICAL; Comrade Valentine Ntui Chairperson, ASUU UEE and Comrade Opeyemi Olajide Chairperson, ASUU UNIUYO.
