The nationwide industrial action declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) continues to gather momentum, with more university branches joining the protest against delayed salary payments.
At Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi State, ASUU members have commenced the strike following instructions from the union’s leadership. Lecturers reportedly stayed away from academic duties, citing a formal directive communicated through an internal memorandum.
In the Federal Capital Territory, the University of Abuja witnessed limited academic activity. Observations revealed that most teaching staff were absent from campus, indicating partial compliance with the strike. The absence was attributed to the non-payment of their June 2025 salaries.
A similar pattern emerged at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where most academic staff complied with the resolution of ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) by staying off duty. The lecturers are demanding prompt payment of the delayed salaries before resuming work.
The University of Jos (UniJos) has also joined the protest. Lecturers there halted academic engagements in line with ASUU’s directive. A staff member at UniJos, speaking to BusinessDay, stated that the industrial action was based on NEC’s standing resolution, which empowers branches to act independently when salaries remain unpaid by the third day of a new month.
“The union stayed away from work following the National Executive Council resolution directing branches to take action when salaries are not paid by the third day of a new month, and the congress affirmed the position,” the lecturer said.
Despite growing participation, some universities have not yet joined the industrial action. According to ASUU officials, the decision was adopted during the last NEC meeting held in Benin City. However, implementation varies across branches based on the timeliness of salary payments.
Dr. Stanley Boroh, a senior lecturer at the Federal University, Otuoke, in Bayelsa State, confirmed that the institution did not embark on the strike due to recent salary payments. “The strike is a directive and resolution from our last NEC in Benin, but the salaries were paid yesterday,” Boroh explained. “I’m sure most universities have started receiving theirs since yesterday. Besides, the directive was that once it’s the third of the new month, we should down tools—but we still need to inform the national.”
At the University of Lagos (UNILAG), normal academic activities continued. Professor Sunday Oloruntola, Dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication, confirmed that lecturers there were not participating in the strike.
ASUU President Dr. Chris Piwuna earlier stated that the union would enforce its no-pay-no-work stance if salary payments were delayed. He reiterated this during his assumption of office, emphasising the federal government’s responsibility to ensure timely salary disbursement.
