The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its members across all federal universities to immediately commence a comprehensive and total strike, bringing academic activities to a grinding halt. The directive, which took effect today, is in protest of the non-payment of their June 2025 salaries.
The national leadership of the union has invoked its "No Pay, No Work" policy, a standing resolution of its National Executive Council (NEC), which mandates members to withdraw their services if salaries are not paid by the third day of the new month.
In a statement released to the press, ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, confirmed the nationwide industrial action. He lamented the persistent hardship faced by lecturers due to the recurring delays in salary payments, a problem he attributed to the federal government's continued use of the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) for university staff.
"Our members have been pushed to the wall," Prof. Piwuna stated. "Despite our repeated engagements with the government and its agencies, the issue of delayed salaries remains a painful and recurring decimal. We are left with no other choice than to activate our 'No Pay, No Work' policy."
The strike has seen widespread compliance across the country. Local chapters of ASUU, including those at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, had earlier announced their decision to join the strike in line with the national directive.
At the University of Jos, the ASUU branch chairman, in a circular to members, directed them to down tools until their June salaries are paid. Similarly, the ATBU chapter of the union has also commenced its own industrial action, citing the same reason.
Beyond the immediate issue of unpaid salaries, Prof. Piwuna also highlighted the government's failure to pay the outstanding N10 billion in Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) as another point of contention.
The strike action has been met with dismay by students and parents who fear a return to the disruptive cycle of industrial actions that have plagued the Nigerian university system for decades. Many are calling on the federal government to urgently address ASUU's grievances to ensure a swift resolution and the immediate reopening of the nation's public universities.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Federal Ministry of Education or the National Universities Commission (NUC) regarding the strike.
