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.