How the ASUU Strike Over Unpaid Salaries Affects Nigerian Education.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced a nationwide strike on July 7, 2025, due to the federal government’s failure to pay June 2025 salaries, enforcing its “No Pay, No Work” policy. ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna announced the strike, citing persistent salary delays since the transition from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
The union’s National Executive Council (NEC) resolution mandates service withdrawal if salaries are unpaid by the third day of a new month. Branches at the University of Jos and University of Abuja have already suspended academic activities, with others like UNIPORT and UNILAG reportedly joining, according to posts on X.
ASUU also demands the release of ₦10 billion in outstanding Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), as only ₦40 billion of the promised ₦50 billion has been disbursed. Piwuna criticized the government’s “deliberate negligence,” dismissing claims of technical issues with GIFMIS. The strike has disrupted lectures, seminars, and exams, affecting students nationwide.
However, some universities, including Jos and Abuja, resumed work after receiving payments, and Piwuna clarified the strike is not indefinite but will continue where salaries remain unpaid, with escalation threatened if July salaries are delayed. The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) also threatened similar action, reflecting broader discontent
🚨 What’s Going On
- The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially commenced a nationwide strike after the failure to pay June 2025 salaries by the third day of the month.
- The union had a standing “No Pay, No Work” policy, approved by its National Executive Council: any lecturer whose salary is delayed beyond day 3 is to suspend duties indefinitely until payments arrive .
🧑🏫 Who’s Affected
- Branches at University of Jos and University of Abuja have already suspended lectures and meetings .
- ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, confirmed to media that all unpaid branches will comply with the strike directive .
🧩 Underlying Causes & Tensions
- Academics shifted from IPPIS to GIFMIS for payroll, but this migration has led to persistent delays in salary distribution, sometimes up to 10 days late .
- Piwuna labeled the delays as intentional acts by the Office of the Accountant General, rather than technical payroll failures .
- Additionally, ASUU demands the remaining ₦10 billion Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) be released, stressing that only ₦40 billion of the promised ₦50 billion has been paid.
🧭 Why It Matters
- Education disruption: Federal universities across Nigeria are now affected, halting lectures and academic activities.
- Economic strain: With staff unable to work, the dispute places pressure on both families and the broader education ecosystem.
- Systemic fixes needed: The issue highlights deeper instability within government payroll systems and incomplete implementation of labor-related financial agreements.
✅ Bottom Line
ASUU has activated its “No Pay, No Work” strike due to delayed June salaries and unresolved earned allowances. The action began with branches like UNIJOS and UniAbuja and is poised to go fully nationwide until the government settles outstanding payments and addresses core systemic issues.
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