The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has launched a nationwide strike in protest against the non-payment of salaries for June 2025.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, confirmed the industrial action on Monday in Abuja. He attributed the strike to what he described as the federal government’s deliberate delay in salary disbursements.
“Our National Executive Council (NEC) had resolved that if salaries are not paid within the first three days of a new month, members should withdraw their services. What we are witnessing now is simply the implementation of that resolution,” Piwuna stated.
He explained that the persistent delays in salary payments are linked to the union’s transition from the controversial Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS). However, he emphasized that the change in platform has not resolved the issues.
“The payment system is not the core problem. The delay stems from the Office of the Accountant General, and we believe it is intentional,” he added.
Piwuna also criticized the government for failing to fulfill its financial commitments, particularly the remaining N10 billion balance from the N50 billion Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) agreed upon with the union. So far, ASUU claims only N40 billion has been disbursed.
In Jos, the chairman of the University of Jos ASUU branch, Dr. Jurbe Molwus, confirmed full compliance with the strike, stating that all academic and administrative duties had been suspended. He added that a monitoring team has been set up to ensure strict adherence.
At the University of Abuja, while the local ASUU chairman, Dr. Sylvanus Ugoh, declined to comment, multiple sources verified that academic staff had halted their activities. The university’s spokesperson, Dr. Habib Yakoob, referred all inquiries to the union.
ASUU has vowed to sustain the strike until all withheld salaries are paid and outstanding financial obligations are met. The union urged the federal government to act promptly to avoid further disruption in academic activities across public universities.
