By Waziri Mahdi Isa
Nigeria’s university system faces fresh disruption as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) threatens industrial action over unpaid June salaries. Union President Chris Piwuna confirmed the brewing crisis in a Tuesday interview, revealing that while no indefinite strike has been declared, affected institutions are currently observing a “no pay, no work” directive.
“This is not an indefinite strike. We have told our members to go by the ‘no pay, no work’ policy,” Piwuna told Premium Times. “If salaries are not paid by the end of July, we will stop work again. It’s that simple.”
The union leader clarified the selective nature of the current action, noting that campuses like the University of Abuja and University of Jos have resumed academic activities following salary payments.
“Those who commenced the strike and their salaries have been paid are back to work. At least I can confirm to you that the University of Jos is back to work,” Piwuna stated.
“UniAbuja is not on strike because their salaries were paid yesterday. And many others across the country that their salaries have been paid. But all those who are being owed June salary are not at work.”
ASUU warns that the salary delays have severely hampered lecturers’ capacity to fulfill their duties. The union has set a July deadline for resolution, threatening to escalate to a full nationwide strike if payments remain outstanding. This development comes as Nigerian universities struggle to maintain academic calendars amid recurring labor disputes over welfare issues and funding shortfalls.
Education analysts express concern that another round of industrial action could further destabilize the tertiary education sector, still recovering from previous prolonged strikes.