By Jibrin Hussaini Kundum
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has expressed concern over the non-implementation of the 2025 agreement reached with the Federal Government, warning that the development is affecting academic stability across Nigerian universities.
The Bauchi Zone comprises universities in Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau States.
The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Namo Timothy Aku, raised the concern on Wednesday during a press conference held at the Yuli Campus of Sa’adu Zungur University.
He said the implementation of the agreement has been characterised by inconsistencies across federal and state universities, particularly in the payment of key allowances.
According to him, ASUU has observed selective implementation of components such as the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CATA), Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) and Professional Allowance (PA), with some institutions implementing parts of the agreement while others have not commenced payment at all.
He attributed the delay in some universities to what he described as the failure of both federal and state governments to release adequate funds for implementation.
The union also criticised recent government pronouncements suggesting the scrapping of certain academic programmes in universities, describing such courses as essential to the growth and relevance of public higher institutions.
ASUU further condemned an alleged attempt by the Niger State Government to take over the Basso Campus of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, insisting that the land was originally allocated to the institution over four decades ago for its take-off.
On language policy in education, the union maintained that the use of indigenous languages for instruction remains a global standard practice, citing countries such as Japan, Russia, China and South Korea as examples.
ASUU added that children below the age of eight are capable of acquiring multiple languages without negative effects on cognitive development, urging policymakers to consider global best practices in education reforms.