Na serious matter dey ground for Nigeria universities again o. Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) don warn Federal Government say make dem pay lecturers full salary by end of March 2026. If not, union go take action wey nobody go like.
ASUU President, Prof Chris Piwuna, talk am clear during interview with TheCable. Him say lecturers patience don dey finish because government dey delay budget and politicians dey focus on primaries and 2027 elections. “We no dey begrudge them if na their interest,” Piwuna yarn. “But our own interest na full implementation of 2025 agreement wey we sign with them.”
The agreement wey dem sign December 2025 include 40 percent salary increase for academic staff, better pension, and promise for better university funding. Piwuna stress say union dey expect full payment by month end to reflect that agreement. “If that no happen, we go force to act,” him warn. “And for that action, we go follow proper procedures and different stages.”
But wait o, another side of the gist dey. Minister of Education, Prof Tunji Alausa, don come out to talk different thing. During presentation of awards for Student Venture Capital Grant initiative for UNDP Innovation Hub for Ikoyi, Lagos, Alausa declare say strike era for Nigerian tertiary institutions don finish permanently.
“We don solve this matter completely,” Alausa tell parents and students. “Make una no worry about strike. Our tertiary institutions go remain open for all academic sessions. Strike don cure for eternity.”
The minister even call Piwuna four-day ultimatum “fake news.” Him say ASUU president tell am say journalists quote am out of context. “When you hear news about looming strikes, treat am as fake,” Alausa insist. “Our word na our bond. Your students go remain for school.”
About salary payment, Alausa reveal say 40 percent increase don start reach academic staff by end of January 2026. “Even without 2026 budget passage, almost 90 to 95 percent of our tertiary institutions don start pay the increase,” him explain. “This one possible because we reallocate some funds from 2025 budget.”
But ASUU side still dey maintain their ground. Piwuna talk say the four-day ultimatum na reminder of days remaining to month end. Him dey work as consultant psychiatrist for University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and him warn say if FG no pay full salaries by March ending, union go act.
“We know say our government and politicians dey interested in primaries, conventions, and 2027 elections,” Piwuna talk. “But our own interest for union na full implementation of 2025 agreements.”
Meanwhile, Alausa talk say government dey close to finalise agreement with Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU). “We don meet with their leadership and we go finalise agreement for coming weeks,” him assure. “Our commitment na make all staff for tertiary institutions benefit and students education continue without interruption.”
The minister give credit to President Bola Tinubu for personal involvement for resolving industrial disputes. “Whenever him make promise, him dey think how to bring am to reality,” Alausa yarn. “When we come, President talk say we must stop ASUU strikes, whatever e take.”
Alausa explain say negotiations with ASUU na direct and no get mediator. “Whatever academic and non-academic unions ask for, President approve immediately,” him talk. “Anything to improve welfare, him say ‘I go do am,’ and we don deliver successfully.”
For specific institutions like University of Lagos, Alausa talk say him don call vice chancellors and confirm say no strike dey. Him say reports of industrial action for UNILAG na because of miscommunication for local union levels, and national ASUU president don clarify matter.
But as dis dey happen, education stakeholders don caution ASUU against embarking on another strike. Dem highlight Alausa transparency for formalising agreements with ASUU. Yet, union dey maintain their position say if FG no fulfill promises by month end, action go follow.
The whole matter dey create tension for academic community. Students and parents dey watch with one eye as deadline dey approach. Some dey believe government assurance, others dey remember past promises wey never fulfill.
Na important moment for Nigeria education sector. How FG handle this salary payment go show if strike really don cure for eternity as Alausa claim, or if ASUU go carry out their threat. All eyes dey on end of March.
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