ASUU’s Nationwide Strike: Nigerian Universities Grind to a Halt Over Unpaid Salaries
In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s education sector, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has launched a nationwide strike, bringing academic activities to a screeching halt. The reason? Unpaid salaries for June 2025, a grievance that has pushed lecturers to their breaking point.
The strike, announced by ASUU’s National Executive Council, stems from the government’s failure to pay salaries by the third day of July 2025, triggering the union’s strict “No Pay, No Work” policy. Prof. Chris Piwuna, ASUU’s President, didn’t mince words, highlighting the financial strain lecturers face due to persistent delays. The transition from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) has only deepened the chaos, leaving academics unpaid and frustrated.
Campuses like the University of Jos and the University of Abuja are already ghost towns, with lecture halls deserted and students left in limbo. ASUU’s strike monitoring teams are ensuring compliance, signaling that this is no bluff. Beyond salaries, the union is demanding the release of ₦10 billion in outstanding Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), as only ₦40 billion of the promised ₦50 billion has been disbursed.
This isn’t just about money,it’s about survival. Lecturers, often seen as the backbone of Nigeria’s future, are struggling to make ends meet. “How do you expect us to teach when we can’t feed our families?” one anonymous lecturer shared, echoing the sentiment of many. The strike threatens to disrupt academic calendars, leaving students and parents anxious about delayed graduations and stalled futures.
The government’s silence has only fueled tensions, with ASUU vowing to keep universities shut until their demands are met. As the nation watches, the question looms: will this be another prolonged standoff, or can a resolution save Nigeria’s crumbling education system? For now, the lecture halls remain silent, and the future of countless students hangs in the balance.
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