The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has accused the governments of Gombe and Plateau states of failing to implement the 2025 agreement reached between the Federal Government, state governments and the union, warning that the situation could spark fresh industrial unrest in the affected institutions.
The union said the alleged failure to implement the agreement has continued to affect lecturers’ welfare and deepen dissatisfaction among academic staff at Gombe State University and Plateau State University.
Speaking during a press conference at Gombe State University on Thursday, ASUU Bauchi Zonal Coordinator, Timothy-Aku Namo, expressed concern over what he described as the refusal of the two state governments to honour the provisions of the agreement signed on December 23, 2025.
“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.
According to him, the Federal Government took steps towards implementation by releasing funds for the salary component of the agreement and establishing an Implementation Monitoring Committee to oversee compliance.
However, he alleged that several state governments have yet to meet their obligations under the agreement.
Namo claimed that some state governments have argued that the agreement was reached solely between the Federal Government and ASUU, a position the union rejects.
“Many state governments are yet to commence implementation of the agreement, while some even claim that the agreement was signed between the Federal Government and ASUU alone,” he stated.
The ASUU official further disclosed that a forensic audit conducted by the union’s National Executive Council on June 21, 2026, revealed that only Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchi State and Ekiti State University had fully implemented the agreement among the state-owned institutions reviewed.
According to him, the situation in Gombe State University and Plateau State University extends beyond the implementation of the agreement, as both institutions are also dealing with other unresolved issues affecting staff welfare and workplace stability.
He warned that the continued delay in addressing the concerns could undermine industrial harmony within the universities and increase tensions among academic staff.
Namo appealed to the visitors of both institutions and other relevant authorities to urgently intervene and ensure the issues are resolved before they escalate into a full-blown industrial dispute.
The ASUU Bauchi Zone coordinator stressed that proactive action was necessary to prevent another round of disruptions in the university system, particularly at a time when stakeholders are seeking to maintain stability in higher education.
As of the time of filing this report, the governments of Gombe and Plateau states had not publicly responded to the allegations made by the union regarding the implementation of the 2025 agreement.
The development comes amid ongoing discussions nationwide over the implementation of agreements reached between governments and university unions, with lecturers repeatedly calling for improved welfare and strict compliance with negotiated commitments.
