Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a four-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding immediate implementation of the newly approved salary structure for university lecturers nationwide.
ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, made the announcement on Thursday during a public lecture at Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli Campus, Bauchi State.
According to Piwuna, the salary agreement, which was reached in December 2025 after extensive negotiations between the union and the Federal Government, was scheduled to take effect in January 2026. However, he expressed concern that the government has yet to commence implementation.
He said the ultimatum takes effect immediately, warning that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe could trigger industrial action.
“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,” he said.
ASUU Raises Concerns Over Unfulfilled Agreements
Piwuna lamented what he described as a recurring pattern of unfulfilled agreements by the Federal Government, noting that such delays have historically led to disputes between both parties and, in many cases, industrial actions that disrupt academic activities.
He stressed that the union expects swift action to avoid another round of disruptions in Nigerian universities.
The ASUU president also addressed the proposed establishment of a branch of Coventry University in Nigeria, following President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to London.
Piwuna stated that the union would strongly resist the move, arguing that it could undermine the development and relevance of Nigerian universities.
He described the planned entry of Coventry University as a form of colonialism within Nigeria’s education sector, adding that ASUU remains committed to strengthening the country’s higher education system.
According to him, the proposal is coming at a time when the foreign institution is reportedly experiencing a decline in admission applications globally.
Piwuna advised the Federal Government to instead partner with ASUU and other stakeholders to improve the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian universities.
He emphasized that strengthening local institutions would better serve the educational needs of current and future generations while preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s university system.
*Possible Strike Looms*
The development raises concerns about the possibility of another industrial action in Nigerian public universities if the Federal Government fails to implement the salary structure within the four-day deadline.
ASUU has historically resorted to strikes to press home its demands, with past actions often leading to prolonged disruptions in academic calendars across public universities.
With the new ultimatum now in place, attention is expected to shift to the Federal Government’s response in the coming days.
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