ASUU Begins Nationwide Strike Over Unpaid June 2025 Salaries: Lecturers across federal universities in Nigeria are downing tools again. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has told its members nationwide to stop work due to the non-payment of their June 2025 salaries.
This isn’t just a random move. ASUU is simply following through on its “No Pay, No Work” policy.
Why Are Lecturers on Strike?
According to ASUU, their salary for June 2025 hasn’t been paid, and that’s a big deal. A rule passed by ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) says that if salaries are delayed for more than three days into a new month, lecturers are to withdraw their services until the money is paid.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, said lecturers are just doing what NEC agreed on months ago. He explained that this isn’t a new fight the union has tried everything, from talking to the Minister of Education to meeting with the Accountant General and nothing has changed.
Strike Already Active in UNIJOS and UNIABUJA
Some branches didn’t wait.
Lecturers at the University of Jos and University of Abuja have already stopped teaching. At UNIJOS, the ASUU branch said its members will not attend lectures or meetings until they are paid. The branch has also set up a strike monitoring team to make sure everyone stays in line with the directive.
At UNIABUJA, lecturers have also stopped working, although the union’s chairman didn’t confirm it directly. Still, the silence says a lot.
What’s the Real Problem?
The issue started when university staff were moved from IPPIS (Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System) to GIFMIS (Government Integrated Financial Management Information System). Since then, salary payments have been slow, sometimes arriving a week or even 10 days late.
Prof. Piwuna said this has caused real hardship for members who are already receiving “paltry” salaries. He blames the delay on what he described as a deliberate action by officials at the Office of the Accountant General.
He made it clear that the payment system itself isn’t the issue. The platform works. When the money is released, nobody complains about errors. The problem, he said, is with those responsible for moving the funds and they’re simply not doing their job.
Warning: More Schools May Join
ASUU has directed all federal university branches that haven’t received June salaries to stop work. So, if you’re a student, don’t be surprised if your classes suddenly stop. This may spread quickly.
Prof. Piwuna stressed that ASUU is tired of repeating itself. Meetings have been held. Complaints have been made. Still, nothing has changed.
One More Issue: N10 Billion Still Unpaid
Aside from the salary problem, ASUU also wants the government to pay up the N10 billion it owes in Earned Academic Allowance (EAA). The government was supposed to pay N50 billion but has only released N40 billion.
Piwuna warned that if the outstanding allowance isn’t paid soon, it could lead to another round of strike action.
Final Thoughts: What Students Should Do Now
If you’re in a federal university, especially UNIJOS or UNIABUJA, pause and plan. Check your school updates, follow ASUU news, and use this time wisely. The strike could drag on.
And if your lecturers haven’t been paid yet, expect them to join the strike soon.
