Mirian Gom 
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna
JOS, Nigeria – The ASUU withheld salaries dispute has resurfaced as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) demands the immediate payment of the outstanding balance of lecturers’ salaries withheld during the 2022 nationwide strike while calling for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s education system.
ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna made the demands during a press conference in Jos, Plateau State, on Friday, warning that delays in implementing agreements reached with the union could trigger fresh industrial unrest across universities.
Presenting a position paper titled “Nigerian Universities and Nigeria Today: Our Worries, Our Propositions,” Piwuna says the Federal Government has failed to fulfil its commitment to lecturers by withholding the balance of three-and-a-half months’ salaries from the 2022 strike.
“In words and deeds, the Federal Government appears to have turned its back on paying the outstanding balance of lecturers’ three-and-half months arising from the 2022 nationwide strike action of ASUU.”
He acknowledges President Bola Tinubu’s decision to approve payment of four months of the withheld salaries but says the failure to settle the outstanding balance has left union members dissatisfied.
“The non-payment of the balance has left a strong bitter taste in the mouths of ASUU members.”
Piwuna also raises concerns over delays in paying the 25/35 per cent wage award and promotion arrears, urging both federal and state governments to settle outstanding entitlements to sustain industrial harmony.
The union expresses disappointment over what it describes as the poor implementation of the December 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, citing funding constraints affecting federal universities and the reluctance of many state governments to implement the new salary package.
ASUU announces that its National Executive Council has authorised varying degrees of industrial action in affected institutions, including Plateau State University, Nasarawa State University, Gombe State University, Abia State University and Kaduna State University.
The union also condemns alleged harassment of members in Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Imo State University and Abia State University.
Beyond welfare issues, ASUU calls for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s education system to align university education with the country’s socio-economic realities.
“Greater attention must be given to research, technical education, agriculture, innovation and the development of skills relevant to Nigeria’s needs.”
The union further criticises the TETFund policy on tenable and non-tenable universities and raises concerns over insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Oluwatobi Adu