The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has handed the Federal Government a four-day deadline to begin implementing the newly approved salary structure for lecturers across the country.
The union’s president, Christopher Piwuna, announced the ultimatum on Thursday during a public lecture at Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli Campus, Bauchi State.
According to him, the countdown begins immediately, urging the government to commence payment under the agreed salary framework without delay.
“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.
Piwuna explained that the demand is part of ongoing efforts to improve lecturers’ welfare and tackle persistent issues of poor pay, which he linked to brain drain and the gradual decline in the quality of higher education in Nigeria.
He further lamented that although multiple agreements have been reached with the government over time, execution has remained inconsistent, often triggering disputes and industrial actions.
Observers warn that the fresh ultimatum could escalate tensions between the union and the government, raising concerns about a possible strike if the demands are not met within the given timeframe.
The union has a long record of embarking on nationwide strikes to push its demands actions that have repeatedly disrupted academic activities in public universities and impacted millions of students.
