The Academic Staff Union of Universities of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai in Niger, has declared an indefinite strike over the state government’s failure to implement the 2025 agreement.

The union decided on Monday after members met, following the state’s failure to implement the 2025 agreement.

The chairman of IBBU-ASUU, Galadima Bala, declared the strike action during the meeting, adding that despite several engagements and appeals, the issues remain unresolved.

“The Union has exhausted several avenues of dialogue and engagement with the relevant authorities and key stakeholders without satisfactory implementation of the agreement and resolution of issues at stake,” Mr Bala said.

He noted that the agreement was reached with the participation of all major stakeholders from State governments and public universities across the country, and that the state had shown commitment in the past as the first to implement national agreements.

“Today, about 16 state universities have implemented this agreement, including Bauchi, Gombe, Benue, Yobe, Osun, Ekiti, Kano, etc. The same implementation has just taken place in Nasarawa State University under the Abuja zone.

“Niger state is too important to be left behind. As we speak, Kaduna State University is reported to have lost over 200 lecturers as a result of refusal to implement this agreement. The neglect of education is a recipe for more security risks that Niger State cannot afford,” Mr Bala said.

Mr Bala appealed to education stakeholders and Traditional Leaders to urge the Niger government to urgently implement the 2025 federal government-ASUU agreement to restore the industrial harmony enjoyed in the university.

“Our demands are therefore a moral burden to save IBB University from imminent collapse resulting from massive exodus of experienced staff and the integrity of the University system.

“ASUU IBBUL remains committed and open to genuine, meaningful and result-oriented dialogue and constructive engagement. However, the patience of our members is not infinite,” Mr Bala added.

He added that the industrial action can end as soon as there is demonstrable commitment and concrete action in implementing the agreement.

In a similar action, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma chapter, has commenced an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement and unpaid allowances.

The industrial action began on Tuesday, August 25, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the university management and Edo State Government.

The union said its demands include full implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement at the institution and payment of accrued allowances owed from January 2026.

The strike affects teaching and lecturing, examinations, supervision of students’ research projects, and other statutory academic and administrative duties.

The AAU chapter had earlier joined other university branches authorised by ASUU’s National Executive Council to commence processes for industrial action over the implementation of the 2025 agreement.

The national body had warned that affected branches could proceed with strikes if their demands were not addressed after issuing the required ultimatums.

The development is expected to disrupt academic activities at the institution as the union maintains its demand for the implementation of the agreement and settlement of outstanding allowances.