ASUU Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Delayed Salaries, "No Pay, No Work" Directive Issued
Nigeria's academic landscape is once again facing potential disruption as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning of a looming nationwide strike. The union's primary grievance is the delayed payment of June 2025 salaries to its members in several institutions.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, confirmed on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, that while a full-blown indefinite strike has not yet been declared, the union has instructed its affected branches to implement a "no pay, no work" policy. This means lecturers in universities where June salaries remain outstanding are to stay away from academic duties. Piwuna made it clear: "If salaries are not paid by the end of July, we will stop work again. It's that simple."
The directive is specifically targeting university branches that have not received their June wages. Piwuna noted that some institutions, such as the University of Abuja and the University of Jos, have resumed academic activities after their delayed payments were cleared. However, those still owed are currently not at work.
ASUU attributes the persistent salary delays, which began after the union pulled out of the federal government's Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. Piwuna accused the office of deliberately withholding payments. He emphasized that the current work stoppage is solely related to the unpaid salaries, warning that the government's continued failure to meet its obligations could trigger a more widespread industrial action.
The union has stressed that these delays severely impact lecturers' ability to perform their duties and maintain academic quality. The Federal Government, through the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has, however, debunked reports of an ongoing nationwide ASUU strike, stating that efforts are underway to ensure industrial harmony and that the stability in the university system is a joint achievement to be preserved.
This latest threat highlights the ongoing, often contentious, relationship between ASUU and the Nigerian government over lecturers' welfare and funding for public universities.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
