The Bauchi zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has dismissed the Federal Government’s claim that a shortage of funds is preventing it from meeting the salary demands of university workers.
Speaking to journalists in Jos, the Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Timothy Namu, said the problem is not financial scarcity but poor political will and misplaced priorities that continue to undermine Nigeria’s education sector.
Namu cited figures from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) to support ASUU’s position. He noted that state allocations rose from ₦3.92 trillion in 2022 to ₦5.81 trillion in 2024 — an increase of more than 62 percent. Federal Government allocations also climbed from ₦3.42 trillion in 2022 to ₦4.65 trillion in 2024, reflecting a rise of over 70 percent.
“These statistics show clearly that the issue is not lack of money but a failure to prioritise education,” he said.
According to him, government actions so far do not reflect a commitment to resolving the recurring crises in the university system. He added that at ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Taraba State University from November 8 to 9, 2025, the union reviewed government’s response since the suspension of its warning strike and rejected the proposed salary adjustment.
“NEC considered the meagre increase a mere token, far below what is needed to stem the brain drain affecting universities,” Namu said.
He explained that although NEC later held an emergency meeting and agreed that the warning strike had achieved some of its aims, the union is disappointed that, with one week left before the expiration of the four-week grace period given to government, no major progress has been made.
ICYMI
ASUU is calling on traditional rulers, opinion leaders, students, civil society groups, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the National Assembly to pressure the Federal Government into taking meaningful action to prevent further disruption in the nation’s universities.
