The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Christopher Piwuna, has called on the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to urgently address the worsening economic hardship in the country, warning that the situation is exerting severe pressure on Nigeria’s public universities and the wider education system.

Piwuna made the appeal in Abuja while speaking at the presentation of the newly renegotiated Federal Government–ASUU agreement, stressing that the prevailing economic conditions have continued to erode the welfare of university workers, students and their families.

He said rising costs of living, particularly in transportation, food and housing, have made it increasingly difficult for academics to discharge their duties effectively, noting that the impact of the hardship goes beyond university campuses and reflects a broader national challenge.

According to him, decisions taken at FEC meetings must be informed by the realities on the ground, adding that policies which fail to consider the socio-economic condition of citizens risk further weakening critical sectors such as education.

The ASUU president also drew attention to persistent structural and governance challenges confronting federal universities, arguing that poor administration and excessive external interference have continued to undermine institutional autonomy and academic standards.

He expressed concern over what he described as arbitrary actions by authorities, including frequent changes in university leadership and prolonged use of acting principal officers, which he said breed instability and discourage long-term planning.

Piwuna further warned that compromised appointment and promotion processes in some institutions could erode merit and damage the credibility of Nigeria’s university system if not urgently addressed.

On security, the ASUU leader acknowledged signs of improvement in some parts of the country and commended the efforts of security agencies, but maintained that economic hardship remains a major source of anxiety for Nigerians, including university workers.

He said ASUU was willing to engage constructively with government officials, including fiscal and tax policy managers, to explore sustainable funding models for education and policies that would ease the burden on workers.

The ASUU president urged the federal government to see education funding as a long-term investment rather than a recurrent expense, noting that adequately funded universities are critical to national development, innovation and economic recovery.

Observers say the renewed call by ASUU underscores the link between macro-economic management and the performance of the education sector, as stakeholders await concrete policy actions from the Federal Executive Council to address the concerns raised.