ASUU Confirms Nationwide Strike, Gives Reason

ASUU Confirms Nationwide Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially directed its members across the country to withdraw their services following a delay in the payment of June 2025 salaries. This action, according to the union, is in line with a National Executive Council (NEC) resolution that mandates a work stoppage whenever salaries are delayed beyond three days into a new month.

Already, ASUU branches at the University of Jos and the University of Abuja have downed tools in compliance with the directive. President of ASUU, Professor Chris Piwuna, confirmed the development on Monday in Abuja, emphasizing that the strike is a direct enforcement of the union’s “No Pay, No Work” policy.

Piwuna criticized the federal government’s handling of university lecturers’ salaries, which he described as meager and frequently delayed. He noted that the migration of university staff from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) has resulted in increased hardship due to recurring delays.

Despite engaging relevant government authorities, including the Minister of Education and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Piwuna said there has been no meaningful response, prompting the union to act. He insisted the delays appear deliberate, as there have been no issues with the payment platform itself once funds are disbursed.

“All affected institutions are expected to comply. We’ve had enough of unfulfilled promises. The delays are not technical—they’re systemic and avoidable,” Piwuna stated. He added that all universities that are yet to receive their salaries should commence strike action immediately.

In Jos, Chairman of the university’s ASUU branch, Jurbe Molwus, said members had fully complied with the NEC directive, halting lectures and all statutory meetings. He confirmed that a strike monitoring team has been activated to ensure full compliance until salaries are paid.

Similarly, members of the University of Abuja branch have also reportedly withdrawn their services over the same issue. While the branch chairman, Dr. Sylvanus Ugoh, was unavailable for comment, university spokesperson Dr. Habib Yakoob said only the ASUU chairman could speak on the matter.

Piwuna further warned that the union is also watching developments regarding the N10 billion balance in Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), part of an agreed N50 billion payment, of which only N40 billion has so far been disbursed. He urged the federal government to settle the outstanding amount promptly to avoid further industrial disputes.