The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has urged the Federal Government to expedite finalising its proposed agreement with the union and settle all outstanding financial entitlements owed to its members.
The union made the demands following a meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) at the University of Abuja.
In a statement signed by its president, Dr Niyi Summonu, CONUA raised concerns about academic welfare, university governance, infrastructure deficits and insecurity across the country.
The union condemned delays in finalising the proposed September 2026 FGN-CONUA Agreement, insisting that its official recognition must translate into meaningful collective bargaining.
While reaffirming its preference for dialogue, CONUA said it reserved the right to pursue lawful trade union actions if negotiations failed to yield the desired outcome.
It also called for the immediate payment of verified outstanding entitlements, including three and a half months of withheld salaries, promotion arrears and unpaid balances of the 25 and 35 per cent wage awards.
However, the union commended the Federal Government for resolving previous challenges relating to pension entitlements.
CONUA also criticised the exclusion of its members from key education-related administrative structures, including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Needs Assessment programmes, calling for fairer representation.
On the state of public tertiary education, the union urged the government to invest sustainably in digital transformation, reliable electricity supply and modern laboratory facilities.
It also cautioned university management and regulatory bodies against superficial practices during accreditation exercises, including the temporary hiring of academic staff and equipment.
On national affairs, CONUA stressed the need for free, fair and credible elections, urging politicians to focus their campaigns on issues rather than divisive rhetoric.
The union also expressed concern over persistent security challenges and called on the government to strengthen intelligence gathering and better protect vulnerable communities.
It reaffirmed its commitment to principled academic unionism, noting that industrial harmony depended on mutual respect, credible agreements and the fulfilment of legitimate obligations.
CONUA pledged to continue defending its members’ interests through constructive engagement and all lawful means guaranteed by the Constitution.