In January, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) signed a renegotiated agreement with the federal government to address the incessant strikes in public tertiary institutions. This agreement aimed to resolve long-standing issues and end repeated strikes that have plagued Nigeria’s university system.
On March 27, 2026, ASUU president Christopher Piwuna announced a four-day ultimatum to the federal government, demanding the commencement of payments under a newly approved salary structure for university lecturers. Piwuna delivered this ultimatum during a public lecture at Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli campus, Bauchi State.
The ultimatum is set to take effect immediately, and Piwuna emphasized that failure to comply will attract a strong response from the union. “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,” he stated.
The new salary structure was approved following prolonged negotiations between ASUU and the federal government. This initiative is part of broader efforts to improve the welfare of university lecturers, addressing issues linked to the 2009 agreement between ASUU and the government.
“The union is giving the government four days to commence payment under the new salary arrangement, which was previously approved following prolonged negotiations between both parties,” Piwuna added.
Observers note that if no action is taken within the ultimatum period, ASUU may resort to serious measures that could lead to the shutdown of public universities across the country. Piwuna warned, “If no action is taken within that period, the union will take serious measures that could shut down public universities across the country.”
This development underscores the ongoing tensions between ASUU and the federal government, as both parties strive to navigate the complexities of university funding and lecturer compensation in Nigeria.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the federal government’s response to the ultimatum, but the situation is being closely monitored by stakeholders in the education sector.