The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reiterated that its members will not forgo the withheld salaries owed to university lecturers, describing the funds as their legitimate earnings.
The President of the union, Christopher Piwuna, stated this while speaking on issues relating to salary delays, agreements with government and funding of universities.
Piwuna said the union expects the Federal Government of Nigeria to release the outstanding three-and-a-half months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 strike, stressing that lecturers had fulfilled their responsibilities after the industrial action.
According to him, lecturers completed lectures, examinations and other academic activities required to ensure students graduated and progressed academically.
“Workers deserve their wages. No one has ever forgone salary in Nigeria and ASUU will not be the first,” he said.
Piwuna appealed to Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve the release of the outstanding salaries, noting that the government had earlier paid part of the withheld funds when it assumed office.
He also said implementation of the new agreement between ASUU and the government has been slow due to delays in passing the 2026 national budget.
The ASUU president noted that while some universities managed to pay lecturers in January in line with the new salary structure, others were unable to do so, adding that most institutions were yet to pay February salaries.
He said the Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria is currently working with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to clarify payment issues, including allowances for medical lecturers and salary entitlements for academics on sabbatical.
Piwuna urged lecturers across federal and state universities to remain patient while the government completes the budget process, expressing optimism that the situation would improve once the budget becomes law.
On broader issues affecting universities, he called on the government to conclude negotiations with other tertiary institution unions, including the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
He also criticised delays in the implementation of proposed solar power projects for universities and questioned the proliferation of centres of excellence funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), urging the agency to evaluate the performance of existing centres before establishing new ones.
Piwuna maintained that ASUU remains committed to maintaining stability in the university system but will continue to advocate for the rights and welfare of its members.
