The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has instructed its branches nationwide to halt academic activities in response to the delayed payment of June 2025 salaries.
The union attributed the action to its “No Pay, No Work” policy. Already, ASUU chapters at the University of Jos and the University of Abuja have commenced strike action in accordance with this directive.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, confirmed the development on Monday in Abuja. He explained that the action aligns with a resolution by ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC), which stipulates that members should stop work if salaries are delayed by more than three days.
Piwuna criticized the government’s lack of concern for lecturers’ welfare, especially following their transition from the IPPIS platform to the GIFMIS system—a move that has worsened delays in salary payments.
He noted that although the union had engaged with key officials, including the Minister of Education and the Accountant General of the Federation, no progress had been made. This prompted the NEC to enforce the “No Pay, No Work” policy.
“We are simply acting on a NEC decision,” Piwuna said. “Since being removed from IPPIS, our members have endured constant delays—sometimes a week or more—before receiving already modest salaries.”
He stressed that all unpaid university branches were expected to comply with the directive, saying the delay was intentional and mostly traced to the Office of the Accountant General.
Piwuna emphasized that the union had made repeated efforts to address the issue with relevant authorities, but no action had been taken. “We want to work, but we cannot do so under these conditions,” he stated.
He added that the delays weren’t due to issues with the GIFMIS payment system, which has functioned properly once funds are disbursed to universities. Rather, he blamed certain government officials for deliberately withholding funds.
“The platform works fine, but those responsible for releasing the funds are failing to act,” Piwuna said.
He further urged the government to urgently release the remaining N10 billion of the N50 billion owed in Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), warning that failing to do so could lead to more industrial actions. So far, only N40 billion has been paid.
At the University of Jos, ASUU branch chairman Jurbe Molwus confirmed that lecturers had withdrawn their services due to the unpaid June salaries, following NEC’s resolution and the branch congress’ endorsement.
He stated that members had suspended all lectures and official meetings, and that a strike monitoring team was now in place to ensure full compliance. According to him, each time salaries are unpaid by the third day of the month, union members will continue to down tools until the situation is rectified.