Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a four-day ultimatum to Federal Government, demanding immediate implementation of the newly approved salary structure for university lecturers.
Gatekeepers News reports that the directive was announced by ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, during an event at Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchi State. He warned that the countdown began immediately and that failure to act within the stipulated time would provoke a strong response from the union.
“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.
The ultimatum comes months after ASUU and the Federal Government reached a renegotiated agreement aimed at addressing long-standing disputes over lecturers’ welfare and conditions of service. The agreement, which includes a revised salary structure, was expected to end years of tension linked to the controversial 2009 FG-ASUU pact.
However, nearly three months after the agreement, implementation has stalled, raising concerns among lecturers nationwide. Piwuna noted that many universities have struggled to pay full salaries, with some yet to settle payments for recent months.
The delay has been attributed partly to challenges surrounding the rollout of the new salary system and the slow passage of the 2026 budget.
The development has heightened fears of another industrial action, as ASUU has a history of embarking on strikes when agreements with the government are not honoured. Recent tensions had already surfaced in some institutions, including disputes over unpaid salary arrears.
