The ASUU gives FG four‑day ultimatum to federal authorities to commence payment of the newly approved salary structure for university lecturers, failing which the Academic Staff Union of Universities said it would take decisive action against the government.
The ultimatum was announced by ASUU President Christopher Piwuna on Thursday during a union meeting in Bauchi State.
The ASUU gives FG four‑day ultimatum announcement comes amid longstanding tensions between the federal government and ASUU over the implementation of agreed terms relating to the working conditions and remuneration of academic staff.
These issues have previously triggered industrial disputes and strikes across Nigeria’s public university system.
Union leaders have consistently argued that delayed implementation of negotiated agreements undermines the stability of academic calendars and the welfare of lecturers.
The new salary structure was approved earlier but has not yet been implemented, according to ASUU leadership.
Addressing members at Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli Campus in Bauchi State, ASUU President Christopher Piwuna explained the basis for the ASUU gives FG four‑day ultimatum, stating that the countdown for compliance began immediately.
“We have issued a four‑day ultimatum from today to the federal government to commence payment of the newly approved salary structure.
Failure to comply will attract a strong response from the union,” Piwuna said, as quoted by Channels Television.
Piwuna expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the government’s “persistent failure to honour agreements with the union,” a pattern he said had repeatedly led to industrial action.
The president noted that such lapses had historically triggered disputes and affected academic operations in universities nationwide.
While delivering the ultimatum, Piwuna also criticised the proposal to establish a branch of a foreign university in Nigeria, arguing that it would undermine local universities.
He described the move as potentially detrimental to the growth and relevance of domestic tertiary institutions.
Piwuna referenced a proposal linked to President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to London that involves the establishment of a branch of Coventry University in Nigeria, stating that the union would oppose the plan on the grounds that it could weaken local institutions.
The ASUU gives FG four‑day ultimatum is likely to intensify pressure on the government to act swiftly on outstanding aspects of the salary structure implementation.
ASUU’s ultimatum places a fixed deadline on compliance, signaling readiness to escalate its response if the demand is not met.
If the federal government does not commence payment within the ultimatum period, the union’s leadership has indicated that a “strong response” could follow, though specifics were not outlined in the announcement.
Past actions in similar disputes have included strikes that disrupt academic activities across federal universities.
The ultimatum also highlights ongoing debates about the future of tertiary education in Nigeria, particularly concerning foreign institutional involvement and the strengthening of local universities’ capacities.
