The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has identified the political class as the biggest threat to Nigeria’s security, warning that rising political killings, thuggery and pre-election violence could plunge the country into a major crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The union also authorised affected branches at Plateau State University, Bokkos (PLASU), and other federal and state-owned universities to begin processes that could lead to industrial action over the non-implementation of the December 2025 agreement reached with the Federal Government.
The decisions were taken at ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026. The meeting reviewed developments in the education sector, economy, politics and national security.
In a statement signed by ASUU National President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, and made available to journalists in Jos on Friday, the union said recent political developments had heightened concerns among Nigerians as the country moves towards the 2027 elections.
According to ASUU, the political environment is increasingly being “toxified by thuggery, brigandage and political killings fueled by entrenched politics of bitterness and winner-takes-all.”
The union warned that the situation was worsening Nigeria’s already serious security challenges, including threats to educational and religious institutions.
ASUU said, “As things stand now, the political class are the most significant and dangerous threat to Nigeria’s security. They are the ‘tribe’ that threatens us all.”
It further warned that if the current trend continued, “the simmering tension may soon erupt like a volcano in the face of everybody.”
The union also accused the political leadership of aggravating the country’s challenges through corruption, procurement violations, questionable contract awards and inadequate investment in critical infrastructure.
ASUU specifically questioned claims by the Rural Electrification Agency that solar farms had been installed and connected to 15 Nigerian universities.
The union said reports from its branches indicated that some of the installations were either non-functional or had experienced repeated breakdowns.
It urged governments at all levels to embrace greater transparency and accountability, arguing that citizens would find it difficult to trust authorities whose promises were repeatedly made and abandoned.
Outstanding Salaries, Wage Arrears
On the university system, ASUU expressed concern over the continued non-payment of three-and-a-half months’ salaries owed lecturers following the 2022 nationwide industrial action.
The union recalled that President Bola Tinubu had initially approved the payment of four of the seven-and-a-half months withheld by the previous administration, but said the remaining balance had yet to be settled.
According to ASUU, lecturers had made considerable sacrifices to recover academic time lost during the strike, and the payment of the outstanding salaries would contribute to restoring industrial harmony in the university system.
The union therefore resolved to deploy all legitimate means at its disposal to compel the Federal Government to pay the outstanding salaries.
It also demanded the immediate payment of the 25 and 35 per cent wage awards and outstanding promotion arrears owed to its members, warning that the continued delay was increasing frustration among academics.
December 2025 Agreement
ASUU also criticised the implementation of the December 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement, describing the process as haphazard.
The union warned that continued failure to fully implement the agreement could trigger renewed industrial unrest across Nigerian universities.
It subsequently authorised affected university branches to begin the necessary processes for industrial action if the government fails to address the outstanding issues.
ASUU called on the Federal Government to honour its commitments and take urgent steps to prevent another disruption of academic activities in the nation’s universities.
