The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again sounded a serious warning to the federal government, threatening to embark on a nationwide strike if the backlog of unpaid salaries to its members is not settled without further delay. The union’s firm stance underscores its long-standing demand for improved welfare and fair compensation for academic staff across Nigerian universities.
In a strong move to express their dissatisfaction, ASUU has directed its members in university branches where June salaries remain unpaid to withdraw their services and refrain from reporting to work until their financial entitlements are cleared. This action is in line with the union’s adopted ‘no pay, no work’ policy, which has become a critical tool in their ongoing struggle for improved working conditions.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, clarified that the union had not yet declared an indefinite strike, contrary to various rumours circulating online and in some media reports. Rather, he emphasized that their current directive is a conditional one aimed at compelling the government to honor its obligations to university staff.
“This is not an indefinite strike. We have told our members to go by the ‘no pay, no work’ policy. If salaries are not paid by the end of July, we will stop work again. It’s that simple,” Mr Piwuna asserted, highlighting the union’s readiness to take more drastic steps should the situation persist.
The directive from ASUU currently affects only those university branches where lecturers have yet to receive their June salaries. Mr Piwuna confirmed that certain universities have resumed normal academic activities after receiving their payments. For instance, he cited the University of Abuja and the University of Jos as examples of institutions where staff have returned to work following payment of their outstanding salaries.
“Those who commenced the strike and whose salaries have been paid are back to work. At least I can confirm to you that the University of Jos is back to work,” he disclosed, further emphasizing the conditional nature of the current work stoppage.
Mr Piwuna also stressed that many ASUU members are facing severe difficulties due to delayed payments, which have hindered their ability to carry out teaching, research, and other academic responsibilities effectively. He called on the federal government to urgently address the issue and clear all outstanding wages to prevent a full-scale industrial action that could paralyze the nation’s university system once again.
The union has consistently criticized what it describes as the government’s poor handling of university staff welfare, including irregular salary payments and underfunding of tertiary education. With the looming end-of-July salary deadline approaching rapidly, the possibility of a comprehensive nationwide strike affecting all Nigerian universities is becoming increasingly imminent, potentially disrupting the academic calendar and affecting thousands of students nationwide.