ASUU to resist FG’s Coventry University campus creation

…gives FG four-day ultimatum over new salary structure

Tensions are set to rise in Nigeria’s higher education sector as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) signals strong opposition to the federal government’s plan to establish a campus of Coventry University in the country.

Christopher Piwuna, the president of ASUU, while speaking on the proposed establishment of a branch of Coventry University in Nigeria following President Bola Tinubu’s visit to London, said the union would resist the move, arguing that it would further erode the value and relevance of Nigerian universities.

He described the planned entry of Coventry University as a form of colonialism in Nigeria’s education system, noting that the union has long been committed to improving the country’s university system.

Besides, Piwuna said that the move comes at a time when the institution is experiencing declining admission applications globally.

He urged the federal government to instead collaborate with ASUU to improve the standard of Nigerian universities to better serve the educational needs of present and future generations.

BusinessDay had earlier reported that the federal government is advancing plans to establish a Coventry University campus in Nigeria through a Transnational Education (TNE) partnership aimed at expanding access to globally recognised degrees.

According to the statement from the Federal Ministry of Education, Olatunji Alausa, the minister of education, was in the United Kingdom where he accompanied President Bola Tinubu, engaging with UK university leadership, key investors, and development partners to drive the initiative forward.

“The proposed campus, to be located in Alaro City, Lagos State, will offer Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), Business, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

“All degrees will be equivalent to those awarded in the United Kingdom. Admissions are expected to commence between the third and fourth quarters of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, ASUU president said the federal government’s repeated failure to honour agreements has led to ongoing disputes and strikes.

Piwuna made this known while delivering a speech at a public lecture held at Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli Campus, in Bauchi State on Thursday, when he said that ASUU has issued a four-day ultimatum to the federal government to immediately implement the newly approved salary structure for university lecturers across the country.

An agreement on the new salary structure was reached in December 2025, and the implementation was scheduled to take effect from January 2026.

Piwuna stated that the ultimatum takes effect from Thursday, stressing that the Federal Government must act swiftly and commence payment under the new salary arrangement, which was approved after prolonged negotiations between both parties.

“We have issued a four-day ultimatum from today to the Federal Government to begin the payment of the newly approved salary structure. Failure to comply will attract a strong response from the union,” he said.

He lamented that the Federal Government has consistently failed to honour several agreements in the past, a situation that has led to repeated disputes and industrial actions.

Recall that BusinessDay reported on March 11, 2026 that ASUU directed its members in some branches to withdraw their services over delays in the payment of June 2025 salary arrears, as well as challenges associated with the transition to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

In late 2025, the union had issued several ultimatums, including 14-day and one-month notices, urging the government to conclude the renegotiation and implementation of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement.