ASUU Threatens Indefinite Strike at ESUT Over Unpaid 2025 Agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to shut down academic activities at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) if the Enugu State Government fails to implement the 2025 ASUU/Federal Government agreement before the end of July

According to the union, the proposed industrial action will be indefinite and will also demand the payment of salary arrears dating back to January 2026 ASUU says the continued delay has left ESUT lecturers as the lowest paid academic staff among public universities in Nigeria, worsening staff welfare and affecting the institution’s competitiveness

The union has therefore appealed to Governor Peter Mbah and key stakeholders in Enugu State to intervene urgently to prevent another disruption to academic activities

ASUU Issues Fresh Strike Warning to Enugu State Government

Speaking during a press conference titled “End the Lamentation in Enugu State University of Science and Technology,” the ASUU Nsukka Zone Coordinator, Prof. Christian Opata, warned that the union would have no option but to embark on a comprehensive and indefinite strike if the agreement remains unimplemented after July

He explained that the implementation must also include all outstanding arrears effective from January 2026, in line with what is already being done in several other universities across the country

According to the union, the 2025 ASUU/Federal Government agreement officially took effect in January 2026 after it was unveiled on January 14

ESUT Allegedly Only University Yet to Implement Agreement

ASUU expressed concern that ESUT remains the only university within the Nsukka Zone yet to begin implementing the remuneration agreement

The zone covers several universities, including:

• University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
• Benue State University
• Federal University Lokoja
• Federal University Wukari
• Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi
• Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo
• Kogi State University, Anyigba
• Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)

The union argued that this delay has placed ESUT lecturers at a serious disadvantage compared to their colleagues in other public universities

ASUU Rejects Funding Excuse

Prof. Opata dismissed suggestions that inadequate funding is responsible for the delay

He maintained that data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicate that Enugu State received significant federal allocations during the first quarter of 2026

According to him, states such as Bauchi and Ogun, which reportedly received lower allocations, have already begun implementing the agreement

ASUU therefore questioned why Enugu State has yet to follow suit despite having what it described as sufficient financial capacity

Union Raises Concerns Over Lecturers’ Welfare

The union also accused the state government of failing to fully implement parts of the longstanding 2009 ASUU/Federal Government agreement, particularly the payment of Earned Academic Allowance

ASUU warned that the continuous failure to honour agreements has damaged ESUT’s reputation and made it increasingly difficult to attract and retain experienced academics

The union noted that poor remuneration negatively affects staff morale, research productivity and the overall quality of higher education within the institution

ASUU Appeals to Governor Peter Mbah and Stakeholders

While acknowledging that the Enugu State Government recently set up a committee to review the matter, ASUU said it has not seen any concrete action toward implementing the agreement

The union appealed to Governor Peter Mbah, members of the university’s Governing Council, traditional rulers, opinion leaders and other stakeholders to intervene before the deadline expires

ASUU insisted that industrial action remains its last option, stressing that it prefers dialogue but would protect the welfare and rights of its members if necessary