ASUU Declares Nationwide Strike Over Delayed Salaries as UniJos, UniAbuja Join Action

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has ordered its members across all branches to commence an indefinite nationwide strike following the delay in the payment of June 2025 salaries. The industrial action, according to the union, is in line with its long-standing “No Pay, No Work” policy.

TJ News Nigeria learnt that branches at the University of Jos and the University of Abuja have already complied with the directive and withdrawn their services, including lectures and administrative duties.

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ASUU President Confirms NEC Resolution

In a statement confirmed on Monday, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said the strike action follows a resolution by the National Executive Council (NEC) mandating members to stop work whenever salaries are delayed beyond the third day of a new month.

“What they are doing is just enforcing a NEC resolution. Certainly, our salaries are delayed for a week and sometimes 10 days before our members receive the paltry amount we get,” Piwuna said.

 

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He added that the union had made multiple efforts to engage relevant government officials—including the Minister of Education and the Accountant General of the Federation—to no avail.

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IPPIS to GIFMIS: ASUU Laments Hardship

ASUU members say they have continued to face financial hardship since university payrolls were migrated from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

Despite assurances from the government, lecturers report frequent salary delays and reduced transparency.

“We want to work, but we cannot because they have not allowed us to work. The problem is not the payment platform—it’s the deliberate actions of those responsible for releasing the funds,” Prof. Piwuna said.

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Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) Also in Focus

Aside from the June salary delay, the union is also demanding the immediate release of N10 billion in Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) still outstanding from a total of N50 billion previously agreed upon.

Piwuna noted that the Federal Government has only disbursed N40 billion, leaving a shortfall that may trigger further confrontation if left unaddressed.

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UniJos and UniAbuja Begin Strike

At the University of Jos, ASUU Chairman Dr. Jurbe Molwus confirmed that lecturers had officially withdrawn their services. He said the branch congress affirmed the NEC resolution and activated a strike monitoring team to ensure compliance.

“Any time salaries are not paid by the third day of the month, there will be a withdrawal of services by our members,” Molwus stated.

At the University of Abuja, sources confirmed to TJ News Nigeria that ASUU members also withdrew their services beginning Monday, July 7, 2025. Although the UniAbuja branch chairman, Dr. Sylvanus Ugoh, could not be reached for comment, the university’s spokesperson, Dr. Habib Yakoob, said he was not in a position to comment on the union’s decision.

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Implications for Nigerian Students and the Academic Calendar

The latest strike action is expected to disrupt academic activities across federal universities in the country. Many students, already facing prolonged semesters due to earlier strikes, may face further delays in graduation and exams.

Education stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to urgently address salary and funding issues to avoid a complete shutdown of tertiary education.

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Summary of ASUU’s Grievances

• Delayed June 2025 salaries (beyond 3-day NEC grace window).
• N10 billion EAA yet to be released.
• Lack of responsiveness from the Office of the Accountant General and Ministry of Education.
• Ongoing financial stress from payroll migration to GIFMIS.

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TJ News Nigeria will continue to monitor the situation as it develops, including responses from the Federal Government and other ASUU branches across the country.