ASUU Embarks On Indefinite Strike: What This Means For Public Universities

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its members nationwide to suspend academic services following the delay in the payment of June 2025 salaries.

This latest action is not the result of new demands, but rather the enforcement of an existing resolution passed by the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).

The industrial action began with the University of Jos and the University of Abuja and is expected to spread to other institutions where salaries remain unpaid. At the core of this protest is ASUU’s “No Pay, No Work” policy, a standing resolution by its National Executive Council (NEC), which mandates that if salaries are delayed beyond the third day of any month, members must withdraw their services until payments are made.

This move not only signals the union’s growing frustration, but also highlights the structural issues affecting Nigeria’s higher education system.

What’s ASUU’s Demand?

ASUU’s immediate demand is simple: timely payment of salaries. Since university lecturers were migrated from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), delays in salary disbursement have reportedly become frequent and frustrating.

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, condemned what he called a deliberate delay by government officials, particularly those in the Office of the Accountant General. He stated that while the GIFMIS payment platform is working efficiently, the people managing it are not fulfilling their responsibilities.

Beyond salary delays, ASUU is also demanding the release of an outstanding N10 billion in Earned Academic Allowances (EAA). The Federal Government had committed to paying N50 billion, of which only N40 billion has been released so far. The union warns that if these issues remain unresolved, further actions may follow.

What It Means For Students?

For students, the implications of this strike are severe, and deeply personal. Interrupted lectures, postponed exams, and suspended academic calendars have become recurring themes in public universities. Each time this happens, students are forced to endure extended academic years and an uncertain future.

In an economy where prices are climbing and many families are already financially strained, the psychological and economic cost of another academic delay is overwhelming. Many students rely on precise timelines for graduation to apply for jobs, scholarships, or postgraduate programs. A prolonged strike can push these plans off-course, or cancel them altogether.

This frustration is even more intense for final-year students preparing for their last exams or for those on the brink of graduation. Every additional week of idleness translates to lost time, lost money, and often, lost motivation. The repetitive nature of these strikes also breeds disillusionment. Some students have begun to consider private universities or even international options if they can afford it, further widening the gap in educational access.

ASUU Leadership Reaction

ASUU leadership is standing firm on its position. Prof. Piwuna explained that the decision to strike is not made lightly, but is the result of repeated inaction by the government despite numerous meetings and complaints.

He emphasized that the salary payment delay is not a technical issue. “The platform is working well. The people responsible are simply not releasing the funds on time,” he said.

At the University of Jos, ASUU Chairman Jurbe Molwus also confirmed that union members have stopped participating in lectures and meetings. A strike monitoring team has been activated to ensure full compliance. He reiterated the NEC’s resolution: any branch that does not receive salaries by the third day of the month must immediately withdraw services.

Government’s Response So Far

So far, the Federal Government has remained largely silent on the matter. No official statement has been issued in response to the current ASUU action. However, ASUU claims to have repeatedly engaged the Minister of Education and the Office of the Accountant General without success.

This lack of engagement is not new. In past instances, government representatives often promise dialogue but fail to meet agreed timelines or release allocated funds. ASUU believes this pattern of neglect leaves it no choice but to act in the only way it knows how, through industrial action.

Social Media Reactions

As expected, the announcement of a new ASUU strike has stirred mixed reactions online:

@1KingCJ: “When lecturers aren’t paid, students suffer. ASUU’s strike is a cry for dignity; education shouldn’t be treated with neglect.”

@Al_ameeen_yabo: “For a union full of ‘intellectuals,’ ASUU’s only solution for decades is strike after strike. No innovation, no alternative methods, just holding students hostage. Innocent students pay the price while careers are put on hold. Something has to change.”

@gyal_arike: “ASUU, don’t do this to me pls… let me be done with exams first 😭😭”

These varied perspectives reflect a deepening public debate. While some support ASUU’s right to protest unfair treatment, others question whether repeated strikes are still effective or ethical, especially considering their impact on students.

This latest ASUU strike is not just another protest. It’s a sign of deeper cracks within Nigeria’s educational framework. If timely salary payments and mutual respect between the government and academic institutions cannot be guaranteed, the future of public university education hangs in the balance.

For students, this is not just about delayed classes. It’s about their lives, their goals, and their hope for stability in a system that too often fails them. It is a call to all stakeholders, especially the government, to act with urgency, integrity, and empathy. Without lasting solutions, Nigeria risks further alienating its young, educated population and weakening one of its most critical national assets: public education.


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