FGN-ASUU INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND STATE OF NORTH-CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA: AN INTERROGATION OF RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE OF THE TEACHING STAFF, 2009-2024

Research Problem: Universities provide critical human capital through teaching, knowledge production and research. In achieving that, the workers, managements and the proprietors of these universities interrelated. Thus, this study explored the dynamics of industrial relations between the FGN and the ASUU, evaluating their implications on the research and academic staff welfare in Nigeria’s North-Centre from 2009 to 2024. Method/Theory: The research adopted a mono-method quantitative research design, administered structured questionnaires to academic staff; descriptive (SPSS version 22 for demographic features of the respondents) and inferential statistics (PLS-SEM 4) to compare the relationship between the variables for data analysis. The study was anchored on Social Conflict theory. Results: Findings reveal that FGN-ASUU industrial relationship significantly affects academic staff welfare and quality research in the North-central universities within the period under study. Conclusion: The study concluded that while collective bargaining has occasionally led to improvements—such as infrastructure upgrades via TETFund and NEEDS Assessment, practically, it has dual effects on research and welfare of academic staff in the selected universities. Key Contribution to Knowledge: This study emanated from the previous researches; however, it contributes to existing scholarship by offering a region-specific, empirically grounded analysis of the industrial relations between the FGN and ASUU, with focus on research development and welfare of the academic staff Recommendations: The study recommends a transparent and accountable industrial relations framework as well as international collaboration to reposition Nigerian universities for national transformation and academic staff wellbeing.