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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has renewed its demand for the immediate payment of outstanding 25 and 35 per cent wage award arrears, promotion arrears, and withheld salaries owed university lecturers, while also rejecting what it described as attempts by some bursars to impose taxes on newly approved academic allowances.
The union made its position known in resolutions reached at the emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) held on June 21 at the Festus Iyayi National Secretariat Complex, University of Abuja.
According to the resolutions signed by ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, the union expressed dissatisfaction over delays in the payment of the 12-month arrears of the 25 and 35 per cent wage award despite the provision being captured in the 2026 budget.
NEC noted that although the arrears had been included in the budget, there was yet to be cash backing for their payment.
The union said officials of the Federal Ministry of Education had indicated that efforts were ongoing to secure approvals from the Minister of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for the release of funds.
However, ASUU rejected the delay and called for immediate payment of the arrears to its members.
The union also raised concerns over the delayed payment of promotion arrears, disclosing that batches seven and nine were still awaiting approval from the Minister of Finance before disbursement.
ASUU further faulted the Federal Government’s position on the outstanding three-and-a-half months’ salaries withheld from lecturers during previous industrial actions.
According to NEC, government had maintained that it would not pay beyond the four months already released.
The union, however, insisted that all outstanding salaries must be paid, arguing that lecturers rendered the services for which the salaries were due.
On the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement, NEC received reports that funds had been released to federal universities for the payment of allowances covering January to May 2026.
The union urged its branches to ensure full implementation of all components of the agreement, including the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Professional Allowance and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), as well as the settlement of all outstanding arrears.
ASUU also alleged that some university bursars were considering measures to tax the newly approved allowances and salary components.
The union described the move as an overreach and directed its branches nationwide to resist and reject any attempt to impose such taxes.
“NEC received updates that some bursars are comparing notes with a view to taxing the new salary.
“Consequently, NEC mandated branches to rise to the occasion, resist and reject such overreach by bursars,” the resolution stated.
The council also reviewed implementation of the 2025 agreement in state universities and observed that only a fraction of state governments had complied with the provisions.
It consequently resolved to engage the agreement implementation monitoring committee and intensify advocacy through press engagements across its zones and branches.
ASUU further disclosed that an Implementation Monitoring Committee had already been inaugurated and had commenced operations to ensure compliance with the agreement across universities.
The council also discussed issues relating to pension remittances and third-party deductions, noting that efforts were ongoing with relevant authorities to facilitate outstanding remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO).
On university governance, NEC directed branches to push for amendments to university statutes to allow for the democratic election of provosts, deans and heads of departments as contained in the non-financial components of the 2025 agreement.
The union also expressed reservations over plans by the Federal Government to establish a National Research and Innovation Development Fund, stating that it had not been consulted and had no input in discussions regarding the proposed funding framework.
NEC additionally reviewed developments in some university branches, including ongoing disputes and industrial actions in Cross River, Benue, Anambra and Adamawa states, while issuing directives aimed at resolving the various challenges.
ASUU reiterated its commitment to protecting the welfare of university lecturers and ensuring full implementation of agreements entered into with governments at both federal and state levels.
