Twenty University branches of the Academic Staff Union of Universities have been granted approval by the union's National Executive Council to begin moves toward industrial action over the alleged non implementation of the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU.

The approval was disclosed in a statement by the ASUU President, Prof Chris Piwuna, on Monday, detailing resolutions from the NEC meeting held at the University of Abuja on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9, 2026.

The affected branches are to issue 14 day ultimatums and proceed on strike if demands remain unmet. "Consequently, NEC resolved that permission be granted to the following branches that have approached NEC for action, to institute the procedures to embark on a strike in order to press home their demands. This is to be preceded by the issuance of a 14 day ultimatum," Piwuna stated.

Approved branches include Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Imo State University; Gombe State University; Plateau State University; Abia State University; Niger Delta University; Kaduna State University; and Northwest University, Kano, among others.

The NEC blamed the slow implementation of the agreement and the failure of several state owned Universities to fulfil their obligations, noting that branches in the Sokoto Zone had already issued two week ultimatums.

Meanwhile, indefinite strikes have already begun at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and Imo State University, Owerri.

At Nasarawa State University, the Chapter Chairman, Dr Zubairu Loko, revealed that lecturers withdrew services over unpaid entitlements exceeding N3bn, covering Earned Academic Allowance and adjustments linked to the minimum wage and an approved salary increase. He noted that meetings with University management, Governing Council, and State Government had failed to resolve the matter. "Enough is enough. We have withdrawn our services. There will be no teaching, no supervision, no research until our money is paid," he stated.

At Imo State University, ASUU members embarked on an indefinite strike after the State Government failed to implement the agreement, a situation the union said had persisted for eight months despite other state Universities already complying. Grievances include the deduction of the Institution's internally generated revenue into the Treasury Single Account, erosion of University autonomy, and unpaid promotion arrears dating to 2016.

The NEC disclosed plans to convene an emergency meeting in early September, reaffirming its "no pay, no work" position, allowing branches to act where salaries remain unpaid after the third day of the following month.