The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has demanded that the federal government begin implementing the newly approved salary structure for university lecturers within four days, warning of strong action if the directive is ignored.
ASUU President Christopher Piwuna issued the ultimatum on Thursday while speaking to members at Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli Campus, in Bauchi State. “We have issued a four-day ultimatum from today to the federal government to commence payment of the newly approved salary structure. Failure to comply will attract a strong response from the union,” Channels TV quoted him as saying.
Piwuna criticised the government’s repeated failure to honour agreements with the union, noting that such lapses have frequently sparked industrial disputes and strikes.
He also addressed plans to establish a branch of Coventry University in Nigeria following President Bola Tinubu’s recent London visit, vowing ASUU’s opposition. Piwuna argued that permitting the foreign institution to operate locally would undermine the growth and relevance of Nigerian universities, describing it as “a new form of colonialism in the country’s education sector.”
Highlighting challenges facing the institution abroad, including a decline in global admissions, Piwuna urged the government to prioritize strengthening domestic universities through collaboration with ASUU to meet the needs of current and future generations.
