The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced that all its branches across Nigeria have been instructed to cease services due to the delay in the payment of June 2025 salaries. This move is in line with the union’s “No Pay, No Work” policy.
In a statement to Tribune Online, ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna confirmed that branches at the University of Jos and the University of Abuja have already initiated strike action. He emphasized that this decision is based on a resolution by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union, which mandates members to withdraw their services if salaries are delayed beyond three days.
Piwuna expressed frustration with the government’s handling of the issue, describing the salaries as “paltry” and highlighting the hardships faced by union members since the transition from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
He stated, “What they are doing is just enforcing a NEC resolution. We have agreed at NEC that our members are going through a lot since our migration out of the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System. Certainly, our salaries are delayed for a week and sometimes 10 days before our members receive the paltry amount we get to help us carry out our duties well.”
Piwuna also revealed that the union has engaged with relevant government officials, including the Minister of Education and the Accountant General of the Federation, but without success. He added, “We have spoken to the relevant authorities—the minister is aware, the Office of the Accountant General is aware. All those concerned are aware that this thing has been happening. We’ve had meetings with them to express our dissatisfaction with the way our salaries are being paid, and they have not taken any action.”
He maintained that the government has no valid reason for the delay, as the payment platform is functioning properly. He said, “The platform through which the payment is effected has not been the problem. It’s just a deliberate effort by the Office of the Accountant General to delay the release of the funds.”
Piwuna warned that the outstanding N10 billion Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) must be released promptly to avoid further conflict. He noted that the Federal Government was supposed to pay N50 billion in outstanding EAA but only released N40 billion, leaving a balance of N10 billion.
Chairman of the University of Jos branch of ASUU, Jurbe Molwus, announced the withdrawal of services by union members at the university, citing the delay in salary payments. He emphasized that the strike would continue until the salaries are paid.
Members of the University of Abuja branch of ASUU have also withdrawn their services, according to reports gathered by Nigerian Tribune. The spokesperson for the University of Abuja, Dr. Habib Yakoob, declined to comment on the issue, directing inquiries to the branch chairman of ASUU.
