The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday joined their counterparts in other universities in a heated protest on campus against what they described as continued government neglect and broken promises.
The protest began on the campus roads and ended at the Senate Building, where lecturers, joined by students and other members of the university community expressed anger over the federal government’s handling of issues affecting Nigerian academics.
Protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “A hunger to one, is a hunger to all,” “ASUU rejects empty promises,” “Respect collective bargaining, honor the agreement now,” and “Stop playing with our future.” They chanted slogans and sang solidarity songs, warning the government not to toy with the future of education in the country.
The protest was energetic as lecturers from different departments including senior professors, marched alongside younger colleagues and students. Many described it not only as a fight for the welfare of lecturers but also a defense of the integrity of Nigeria’s public university system.
ASUU leaders at ABU, joined by the Vice Chancellor, condemned what they described as the government’s habit of dishonouring agreements, particularly the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement which they said has remained unimplemented for years despite repeated assurances.
They also rejected President Bola Tinubu’s newly introduced lecturers’ loan fund and asserted that academics need their withheld salaries, overdue salary increases, and other entitlements, not loans.
“This protest is about survival,” a lecturer told FCT News Gazette. “We are tired of promises that never translate into action. The government must wake up to its responsibilities or risk collapsing the university system altogether.”
Students who joined the protest in solidarity said they were worried that their future is at risk. “If lecturers are not treated with dignity, the quality of our education will collapse,” said a student, Ibrahim Sa’id Mulki.
The protest ended peacefully at the Senate Building, with union members and supporters urging the federal government to immediately act responsibly, honour its commitments, fulfill past promises, and give priority to the survival of Nigeria’s universities.
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