The Academic Staff Union of Universities has cautioned the Federal Government to commence payment of lecturers under the newly approved salary structure without delay or face the possibility of a nationwide strike.
The union issued a four-day deadline on Thursday. ASUU President Christopher Piwuna said that if no action is taken within that period, the union will take serious measures that could shut down public universities across the country.
Speaking at Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchi State, Piwuna stated that the government must commence payment of the new salaries immediately.
“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 emphasised that the union expects prompt action, warning that non-compliance will provoke a decisive response.
This warning comes a few months after ASUU and the federal government reached a new agreement in January.
The deal was intended to resolve long-standing issues and end the repeated strikes that have affected Nigeria’s university system for years.
A key element of the agreement is a new salary structure designed to improve lecturers’ welfare and address problems linked to the 2009 agreement between ASUU and the government, which was never fully implemented.
