The aspiration of President Bola Tinubu to avert a strike in Nigeria’s public universities resonates deeply with every student, parent, and stakeholder across the nation. However, as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) takes to the streets, it becomes evident that this hope teeters on the edge of uncertainty. The nationwide demonstrations led by educators are not merely cries for attention but rather a thunderous lament against a protracted history of unfulfilled promises and intentional neglect. This is a pivotal moment for the Tinubu administration, demanding more than mere words; it calls for a heartfelt resolution to restore the bedrock of trust that has been systematically dismantled over many years.

The current condition of Nigerian public universities stands as a stark reflection of prolonged disregard. Academics are battling for fundamental rights: a fair wage, settlement of overdue entitlements, and the rejuvenation of institutions teetering on the brink of ruin. The primary grievance lingers around the unfulfilled 2009 agreement—a document that, after 16 years, has transformed into a symbol of the government’s persistent failure to keep its promises. The challenges are glaring: educators are teaching in cramped, inadequately equipped classrooms and laboratories, their salaries are woefully insufficient, and their promotion arrears remain unpaid. The government’s recent suggestion of a loan scheme for staff, instead of disbursing rightful salaries, has been perceived as a final affront, a “poisoned chalice” that reveals a profound disconnect from the stark realities facing the academic community.

At the heart of this recurring dilemma lies a significant deficit of trust. ASUU has oscillated in and out of negotiations with various administrations, each time emerging with memoranda of understanding that are seldom, if ever, fully realized. The latest instance of this systemic betrayal is the Yayale Ahmed renegotiation committee report, submitted in February of this year. ASUU members accuse the government of treating this document with “reckless indifference,” allowing it to gather dust as the union’s patience reaches a critical threshold. For ASUU, the upcoming meeting with the government is not merely another round of discussions; it’s a crucial litmus test of the administration’s authenticity. The union has made it abundantly clear that a failure to act with urgency will provoke the “mother of all strikes.”

To prevent the looming strike and, more crucially, to initiate the essential process of rebuilding trust, the Tinubu administration must undertake specific and immediate measures. Firstly, the government must ratify and fully execute the renegotiated agreement outlined in the Yayale Ahmed report. This is the most critical step. It is the action that will demonstrate to ASUU that this administration is distinct. Secondly, the government must settle all outstanding payments, including the three and a half months’ salaries withheld during the last strike, as well as all promotion arrears. This is a fundamental issue of compensation and will serve as a strong indication of commitment. Lastly, the administration must engage in a new form of dialogue—one founded on transparency and accountability. They need to collaborate with ASUU to develop a sustainable funding model for public universities and address the autonomy issues that lie at the heart of the union’s struggle. The solution should not be a temporary measure but a lasting resolution that honors academics and secures the future of education in Nigeria.

The responsibility now lies firmly with the government. The protests have effectively highlighted the crisis to the public. President Tinubu’s administration has a distinct opportunity to break the cycle of strikes and restore hope and stability within the university system. It is a moment to demonstrate that this government will not repeat past errors and that the education of Nigeria’s youth is, indeed, a national priority.

Dakwom Makpring Longgul is a lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Film Arts at the University of Jos, Nigeria. He is a journalist and public opinion analyst with a core research area in digital media, achieving / ethnographic storytelling theatre, specifically focusing on the Mupun storytelling tradition. He holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Film Arts from the University of Jos and was a 2023 DAAD fellow at Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany. Longgul is also a writer and literary critic and has written a number of articles and papers, including a documentary film titled “Wake the Flies.”

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Averting the Storm: Can Tinubu Bridge Trust & Avert a University Strike?