Abuja, Nigeria | September 15, 2025 — The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities has called on the Federal Government to urgently address lingering issues with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to avert another nationwide strike.
The appeal was made during the Committee’s meeting in Abuja, where members expressed concern that unresolved disputes over funding, welfare, and infrastructure could trigger fresh industrial action, disrupting the academic calendar and worsening the challenges facing the education sector.
Speaking after the meeting, the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Wale Babalakin, stressed that dialogue, transparency, and proactive engagement were crucial to restoring stability in the university system. He noted that universities were still recovering from the impact of past strikes, which caused learning disruptions and strained relations between lecturers, students, and management.
“We must avoid another strike at all costs. It is the duty of government, stakeholders, and ASUU leadership to come together, prioritize the interest of students, and find lasting solutions,” Babalakin said.
The Pro-Chancellors also urged the government to fast-track the release of earned allowances, improve funding for teaching and research, and strengthen autonomy in line with global standards. They emphasized that safeguarding the future of higher education required consistent investment and a genuine commitment to addressing the grievances of academic staff.
Education analysts warn that another prolonged ASUU strike could undermine Nigeria’s human capital development and further fuel the brain drain already affecting universities.
