The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has denied claims by the Federal Government (FG) that ₦50 billion has been released for the revitalisation of federal universities.

In a statement signed by Prof. Jurbe Molwus, the union described the government’s announcement as fake news, insisting that no funds have reached any university and none of its key demands have been met ahead of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, scheduled for November 8–9, 2025.

“Even the ₦50bn revitalisation fund the FGN claimed to have released some weeks ago is yet to reach the universities. We do not know why the Minister of Education is still keeping it,” Molwus said.

He further dismissed claims that ₦2.3 billion had been disbursed to settle salary and promotion arrears, stating that no staff member has received any credit alerts.

Molwus accused the government of deliberately misleading the public with press statements instead of taking concrete action.

“What our members need is not press releases but actual payments,” he added.

ASUU reminded the government that it had suspended its two-week warning strike in good faith, following assurances from senior officials that tangible steps would be taken to address longstanding issues — including withheld salaries, wage arrears, promotion arrears, and earned academic allowances.

However, the union said the situation has not changed and has given the Federal Government a deadline of November 21, 2025, to fulfill all commitments.

Failing that, ASUU warned, it may have no choice but to resume its suspended industrial action.

The union’s position has reignited debate within Nigeria’s academic sector, as lecturers and students anxiously await the outcome of the upcoming NEC meeting to determine whether another nationwide strike is imminent.