An agreement reached in December 2025 regarding a new salary structure for university lecturers has yet to be implemented. This delay has prompted a sharp reaction from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
President Christopher Piwuna issued a four day ultimatum on Thursday while delivering a speech at Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli Campus, in Bauchi State. He observed that the implementation was scheduled to take effect from January 2026.
“We have issued a four day ultimatum from today to the Federal Government to begin the payment of the newly approved salary structure. Failure to comply will attract a strong response from the union,” Piwuna declared.
The union leader lamented that the Federal Government has consistently failed to honour agreements. He noted that this trend has led to repeated disputes and industrial actions. ASUU had previously directed members in some branches to withdraw services on March 11, 2026. That directive was issued over delays in salary arrears and challenges with the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
Beyond the salary dispute, Piwuna addressed the proposed establishment of a Coventry University branch in Nigeria following President Bola Tinubu’s visit to London. He argued that ASUU would resist the move, describing it as a form of colonialism in the education system. He advised the government to collaborate with ASUU to improve local standards instead of relying on foreign institutions that are experiencing declining admission applications globally.
