The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has accused the governments of Gombe and Plateau states of failing to implement the provisions of the 2025 agreement reached between the Federal Government, state governments and the union, warning that the continued delay could provoke industrial unrest in the affected state-owned universities.
The union expressed concern that despite the agreement signed on December 23, 2025, following months of negotiations involving the Federal Government, representatives of state governments that own public universities and ASUU, lecturers in the affected institutions were yet to benefit from the agreed terms.
Addressing journalists during a press conference held on Thursday at Gombe State University, the ASUU Bauchi Zonal Coordinator, Timothy-Aku Namo, said the failure of the two state governments to honour the agreement had worsened the welfare of academic staff and created growing dissatisfaction within the university system.
According to him, the continued refusal to implement the agreement was undermining the morale of lecturers and threatening industrial harmony in the affected institutions.
“You may recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria signed an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities on December 23, 2025, after protracted negotiations involving the Federal Government, state governments that own public universities and our union,” Namo said.
He explained that the agreement was intended to address several long-standing issues affecting university lecturers, including improved conditions of service, staff welfare, and other outstanding matters aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s public university system.
However, he lamented that while some governments had taken steps towards implementation, the governments of Gombe and Plateau states had yet to fulfil their obligations, leaving academic staff at Gombe State University and Plateau State University waiting for the promised improvements.
Namo stressed that lecturers in the affected institutions had exercised patience in the hope that the state governments would implement the agreement voluntarily, but noted that the prolonged delay had heightened frustration among members of the union.
He warned that continued inaction by the two governments could erode the relative peace currently being enjoyed in the university system and potentially lead to industrial unrest if urgent measures were not taken.
The ASUU coordinator urged the governments of Gombe and Plateau states to immediately commence implementation of the agreement in order to prevent avoidable disruptions to academic activities.
He maintained that the union remained committed to dialogue and constructive engagement but insisted that agreements freely entered into by governments should be respected.
According to him, honouring negotiated agreements is essential for maintaining trust between government and university workers, improving staff welfare and ensuring uninterrupted academic calendars.
The union also appealed to relevant stakeholders to prevail on the two state governments to fulfil their commitments, warning that failure to do so could negatively affect teaching, research and the overall quality of higher education in the affected universities.
ASUU reiterated that university lecturers had consistently demonstrated commitment to the development of Nigeria’s education sector despite numerous challenges, adding that governments must reciprocate by implementing agreements reached through negotiations.
The Bauchi Zone said it hoped that the issues would be resolved through dialogue, but cautioned that continued neglect of the agreement could compel the union to consider further actions aimed at protecting the interests of its members.
The warning comes amid renewed concerns over the welfare of university lecturers and the need for governments at all levels to honour agreements reached with academic unions to ensure stability within Nigeria’s public university system.
