The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its members across the country to withdraw their services over the delay in the payment of June 2025 salaries.
The industrial action, which has already commenced in some universities, is in line with a resolution of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) that any delay in salary payment beyond three days will be met with a suspension of academic activities until the salaries are paid.
In a statement on Monday in Abuja, ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, confirmed the development, stating that the union is simply enforcing a previously agreed decision by NEC.
According to him, members of ASUU in the University of Jos and the University of Abuja have already downed tools in compliance with the directive.
He expressed displeasure over the persistent delays in salary payments, describing the attitude of some government officials as insensitive.
Prof. Piwuna noted that since the transition from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), lecturers have faced serious financial difficulties.
He explained that efforts by the union to address the issue through engagements with the Minister of Education and the Accountant General of the Federation have not yielded any result.
“We are not doing anything new. We are only implementing a NEC resolution. If salaries are not paid, there will be no work. Our members are already burdened, and this hardship is not acceptable,” he said.
On the likelihood of more universities joining the strike, Piwuna stated that any branch where salaries have not been paid is expected to comply fully with the directive.
“All concerned authorities, including the minister and the Office of the Accountant General, are aware of this issue. We’ve had several meetings with them, but nothing has changed. It’s a deliberate action to frustrate our members,” he said.
He maintained that the payment platform is not the problem, stressing that the delays are caused by human factors within the government system.
“When the salaries are eventually released, no one complains of being shortchanged. So, it’s not a technical issue; it’s just a deliberate delay. The platform works, but those responsible are not willing to make it function efficiently,” he added.
The ASUU President also warned that aside from the current salary delay, the Federal Government must promptly release the outstanding N10 billion Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) to avoid another industrial action.
He explained that while the government had earlier approved N50 billion for EAA, only N40 billion has been released, leaving a balance of N10 billion.
“We hope the remaining amount is paid soon so we don’t have another issue to contend with,” Piwuna warned.
