The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a nationwide strike in protest against the non-payment of June 2025 salaries.
The action, announced on Monday by ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, is in line with the union’s long-standing “No Pay, No Work” policy, which mandates withdrawal of services if salaries are not paid within three days of a new month.
ASUU branches at the University of Jos and the University of Abuja have already downed tools, following a directive issued by the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).
Speaking in Abuja, Prof. Piwuna accused the Federal Government of continued neglect of academic staff welfare, particularly after the transition from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
He noted that the change has worsened payment delays, compounding the financial difficulties faced by university staff.
“Our salaries are now consistently delayed by over a week, yet we are still expected to work under these unacceptable conditions,” Piwuna said.
“We have exhausted all official channels, including appeals to the Minister of Education and the Accountant General, but have received no meaningful response.”
He stressed that the strike was not a knee-jerk reaction but a result of repeated government inaction. “This is not a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate enforcement of a clearly communicated and widely accepted policy.”
Prof. Piwuna also dismissed suggestions that the delays were due to technical issues with GIFMIS, insisting the problem lies with the Office of the Accountant General.
“Once funds are disbursed to universities, payment is seamless. This is not a system error, it is an intentional delay,” he said.
In addition to the unpaid salaries, ASUU is demanding the immediate release of ₦10 billion in outstanding Earned Academic Allowance (EAA). Although the government previously pledged N50 billion, only N40 billion has so far been released.
“We are still owed N10 billion. Failure to pay this outstanding amount could trigger a broader crisis in the university system,” Piwuna warned.
Confirming the commencement of the strike, Dr. Jurbe Molwus, ASUU Chairman at the University of Jos, said lecturers have withdrawn from all academic and statutory responsibilities.
He added that strike monitoring teams have been deployed to enforce compliance across campuses, and the industrial action will persist until all outstanding salaries are paid.
With tensions rising and no resolution yet in sight, the strike threatens to further destabilize Nigeria’s already fragile public university system.
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