“Niger State Risks Falling Behind Other States” — ASUU-IBBU Begins Indefinite Strike, Demands Implementation Of Agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai Branch, has commenced an indefinite strike over what it described as the Niger State Government’s failure to implement key provisions of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
The union announced the industrial action on Monday following an emergency congress and press conference held at the university in Lapai, Niger State.
Chairman of ASUU-IBBU, Galadima Bala, said the decision to embark on an indefinite strike followed repeated engagements, appeals and efforts to resolve the outstanding issues without the desired result.
According to him, the agreement was reached with the participation of state governments and public universities and should therefore be fully implemented to guarantee industrial harmony and stability across the university system.
Bala said the union had exhausted several avenues of engagement before resolving to withdraw its services.
He argued that continued failure to implement the agreement could place IBB University at a disadvantage compared with other state-owned universities that had already begun implementing similar provisions.
According to the ASUU branch chairman, about 16 state-owned universities across the country had commenced implementation of the agreement.
He listed institutions in Bauchi, Gombe, Benue, Yobe, Osun, Ekiti and Kano states among those that had taken steps towards implementation.
Bala added that Nasarawa State University had also commenced implementation, warning that Niger State risked falling behind if the government continued to delay action on the union’s demands.
The union also raised concerns about the increasing movement of lecturers away from universities where the agreement had not been implemented.
ASUU-IBBU referred to a union claim that Kaduna State University had lost more than 200 lecturers, although the university has disputed that figure.
The union warned that persistent neglect of the education sector could have broader consequences beyond the immediate disruption of academic activities.
It argued that the quality and stability of tertiary education were closely connected to the development and security of Niger State and that continued deterioration in the working conditions of academics could undermine the state’s long-term interests.
ASUU-IBBU therefore called on the Niger State Government to urgently address its grievances and take concrete steps towards implementing the outstanding provisions of the agreement.
Despite declaring the indefinite strike, the union said it remained willing to engage the government in genuine and meaningful dialogue.
According to the branch, the industrial action would be suspended once the government demonstrates clear commitment and takes concrete steps capable of resolving the outstanding issues.
The union stressed that mere assurances would not be sufficient, insisting that there must be visible progress towards implementation before academic activities resume.
ASUU-IBBU also appealed to its members to remain calm, disciplined and law-abiding throughout the period of the industrial action.
It acknowledged that the strike would inconvenience students, parents and other stakeholders and expressed regret over the disruption.
The union, however, maintained that the action had become necessary after previous attempts to resolve the dispute failed.
The indefinite strike means academic activities involving members of ASUU at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, will remain suspended until the union is satisfied that the Niger State Government has demonstrated sufficient commitment to implementing the disputed provisions of the 2025 agreement.
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