ASUU begins nationwide strike over delayed June salaries

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced a nationwide strike following the delay in the payment of June 2025 salaries, citing its long-standing “No Pay, No Work” resolution.

The directive, issued by the union’s National Executive Council (NEC), mandates that all university branches whose members have not been paid by the third day of the month should suspend academic activities. Already, branches at the University of Jos and the University of Abuja have downed tools in compliance with the directive.

ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, confirmed the development in a statement in Abuja, lamenting the government’s persistent failure to pay lecturers’ salaries on time despite several engagements with top government officials.

“We are merely enforcing a NEC resolution. Our members are experiencing untold hardship since the migration from IPPIS to GIFMIS. Salaries are being delayed by up to 10 days, and even the amounts paid are meager,” Piwuna said.

He criticized the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for what he described as a deliberate delay in releasing funds, even though there are no technical issues with the payment platform.

“We have met with the Minister of Education and the Accountant General to express our dissatisfaction. They are aware of our plight but have failed to act. We are ready to work, but we cannot if we are not paid,” he stated.

Piwuna added that all ASUU branches yet to receive their June salaries are expected to join the industrial action. He further warned that failure to resolve the issue could lead to further disruptions in the university calendar.

Beyond salary delays, the ASUU President also called on the Federal Government to pay the outstanding ₦10 billion in Earned Academic Allowances (EAA). According to him, only ₦40 billion out of the agreed ₦50 billion has been disbursed.

“We don’t want to fight over it, but the remaining ₦10 billion must be paid. We hope the government does the needful promptly,” he added.

At the University of Jos, ASUU branch chairman Dr. Jurbe Molwus confirmed that members had fully complied with the NEC directive. He said lecturers have suspended lectures and statutory meetings, while the strike monitoring team has been activated to ensure compliance.

“As long as salaries are not paid by the third day of the month, our members will continue to withdraw their services,” Molwus stated.

The latest strike action raises fresh concerns over the stability of Nigeria’s public university system, which has faced repeated disruptions due to unresolved issues between ASUU and the Federal Government.