The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a four-day deadline to commence the implementation of the newly approved salary structure for university lecturers nationwide.
ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, made this known on Thursday while speaking at a public lecture held at Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli Campus, in Bauchi State.
He noted that although an agreement on the revised salary structure was reached in December 2025, with implementation scheduled for January 2026, the government has yet to act.
Piwuna stressed that the ultimatum takes immediate effect, warning that failure to comply would prompt decisive action from the union.
“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.
He expressed concern over the government’s repeated failure to honour agreements, which has often resulted in disputes and industrial actions within the university system.
Addressing the proposed establishment of a branch of Coventry University in Nigeria following President Bola Tinubu’s visit to London, Piwuna said ASUU would oppose the move, arguing that it could undermine the integrity of local universities.
He described the development as a form of colonial influence on Nigeria’s education sector and urged the government to prioritise strengthening domestic institutions instead.
Piwuna also pointed out that the planned expansion comes at a time when the foreign institution is reportedly experiencing declining global admission figures.
He called on the Federal Government to work more closely with ASUU to improve the standard of Nigerian universities for current and future generations.
The latest development adds to ongoing tensions between the government and labour unions. Earlier in March, ASUU had directed some members to withdraw their services over delays in salary payments and issues related to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
The union had also issued multiple ultimatums in late 2025, urging the government to complete the renegotiation and implementation of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement.
Meanwhile, federal civil servants outside ASUU have also threatened nationwide industrial action over unpaid wage awards, signalling broader unrest across the public sector.