Multiple branches of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have activated strike actions across Nigeria following the Federal Government’s failure to pay June 2025 salaries, bringing academic activities to a halt in several public universities and polytechnics.
The widespread industrial action stems from ASUU’s “no pay, no work” policy, which union leaders had warned would be implemented if salary payments continued to be delayed. ASUU National President Chris Piwuna had previously stated in an interview that the union would enforce this policy to compel the government to meet its salary obligations.
At the University of Jos in Plateau State, ASUU Chairman Jurbe Molwus announced a complete withdrawal of services, explaining that union members have abstained from lectures and statutory meetings in accordance with the National Executive Council (NEC) resolution. “Our members have abstained from lectures and statutory meetings in accordance with the NEC resolution, which mandates service withdrawal if salaries are not paid by the third day of a new month,” Molwus stated.
The University of Jos chapter has activated its strike monitoring team to ensure full compliance with the directive, effectively paralyzing academic operations at the institution.
Similarly, lecturers at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi State have stayed away from their academic duties. ASUU-ATBU Chairman Angulu Haruna accused the Federal Government of “deliberate negligence” in handling university staff salaries, expressing frustration over the differential treatment of university workers compared to other government employees.
“While other government workers are paid on time, universities are treated as afterthoughts. We’ve been told the delays are due to migration from the IPPIS platform, but that excuse no longer holds water,” Haruna lamented, dismissing government explanations about technical challenges with the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.
The strike has also affected the University of Abuja, where lecturers were notably absent from classrooms on Monday. Sources confirmed that most academic staff were complying with ASUU’s directive, leaving students without instruction as the standoff continues.
At Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, academic staff are reportedly following the union’s guidance. A senior lecturer, speaking anonymously, revealed that most academic staff had agreed to stay away from teaching and meetings until the June salary issue is resolved.
The crisis has extended beyond universities to polytechnics, with the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) issuing its own stern warning to the government on Sunday night. ASUP threatened to commence a nationwide strike if their salary obligations are not met, emphasizing that failure to pay would result in full industrial action.
The current salary delays have reignited tensions between academic unions and the Federal Government, with union leaders expressing frustration over what they perceive as systematic neglect of the education sector. The timing is particularly concerning as it affects the academic calendar and student learning outcomes across multiple institutions.
The strike action represents a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between ASUU and the government over working conditions and salary payments. Previous strikes by the union have lasted for months, severely disrupting the academic calendar and affecting millions of students nationwide.
Government officials have yet to provide a definitive timeline for resolving the salary payment delays, while union leaders maintain that they will continue the strike until their demands are met. The situation threatens to derail the current academic session if not resolved promptly.
