The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has slammed the Federal Government with a four-day ultimatum to implement the newly approved salary structure for university lecturers across Nigeria. The warning comes after a long history of unfulfilled agreements that have left academics frustrated and students in limbo.
Professor Christopher Piwuna, ASUU president, announced the ultimatum on Thursday at a public lecture at Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli Campus in Bauchi State. He reminded the government that the enhanced salary structure was agreed upon in December 2025 and was supposed to take effect in January 2026 — but delays have persisted.
“We have issued a four-day ultimatum from today to the Federal Government to begin the payment of the newly approved salary structure,” Piwuna said. “Failure to comply will attract a strong response from the union.”
The ultimatum reflects growing frustration among lecturers, who have repeatedly waited in vain for promises to be fulfilled. According to Piwuna, the government’s repeated failure to honor past agreements has eroded trust and disrupted academic calendars nationwide.
Adding another layer to his warning, Piwuna also criticized plans to establish a branch of Coventry University in Nigeria, a move that has been floated following President Bola Tinubu’s visit to London. He described the initiative as a form of “colonialism in the education sector”, warning that foreign universities operating locally could weaken the value and relevance of Nigerian institutions. Instead, he urged the government to collaborate with ASUU to improve domestic universities and elevate standards for students now and in the future.
This latest ultimatum comes amid ongoing industrial unrest. On March 11, 2026, ASUU directed members in some branches to withdraw services over unpaid June 2025 salary arrears and challenges linked to the GIFMIS system. The union had previously issued several ultimatums, ranging from 14 days to one month, demanding the government implement the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement.
Meanwhile, tension in the public sector is mounting, as federal civil servants outside ASUU also threatened nationwide strikes on March 25, 2026, over unpaid wage awards.
With the clock ticking on ASUU’s four-day deadline, all eyes are now on the government. Will FG meet the demand, or risk another wave of industrial action that could further disrupt Nigerian universities?
