Lecturers at two Sokoto State owned universities may soon down tools as the Academic Staff Union of Universities has raised the alarm over deteriorating welfare conditions, warning that continued government inaction could disrupt academic activities across both institutions.

ASUU branches at Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education jointly issued the warning in a statement on Wednesday, signed by ASUU SSU Chairperson Dr Bello Musa and his counterpart at SSUE, Dr Shamsu Kabiru. Both officials stressed that unresolved welfare issues are already straining industrial harmony and could soon cripple teaching and research if left unaddressed.

"These issues have lingered for too long despite several reminders. Addressing them will sustain the harmonious working relationship and enhance productivity," the statement noted.

The union outlined two central demands. The first is the immediate implementation of the 2025 Federal Government ASUU agreement, including payment of peculiar allowances for teaching and research, noting that federal universities have already begun receiving these payments. The second is the payment of Earned Academic Allowances owed to lecturers for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions, which remain outstanding.

ASUU stressed that lecturers in state owned institutions should not be sidelined, particularly as salary structures are centrally negotiated under Nigeria's constitutional framework.

The union cautioned that prolonged inaction risks deepening discontent among academic staff and potentially crippling the academic calendar in both institutions, as unions across Nigeria intensify pressure on authorities for improved funding, fair compensation, and full implementation of existing agreements.