ASUU Declares ‘No Pay, No Work’ as Salary Delay Crisis Escalates Under Tinubu Administration

ASUU has declared a no-pay-no-work policy, suspending lectures nationwide over prolonged salary delays and government neglect.

The union warns of worsening disruption as non-academic staff join the protest, demanding immediate payment and action from the Tinubu-led administration.

In a bold move, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially launched a no-pay-no-work policy, halting all academic activities nationwide over persistent salary delays. The union blames the Tinubu-led government for systemic neglect and financial frustration following their exit from the IPPIS payroll platform.

ASUU President Professor Chris Piwuna disclosed that the salary delays have become routine since the union abandoned the controversial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System. Speaking to “Punch”, Piwuna said, “Since the departure from IPPIS, the salaries of lecturers have consistently been delayed… we don’t get paid the way other workers do.” He further lamented that as of June 7, many lecturers have yet to receive their salaries, making it difficult for them to meet basic needs or celebrate major holidays like Sallah.

Piwuna stressed that the union’s decision was not taken lightly, noting the economic hardship lecturers currently endure. “We want to teach, but we can’t teach without our salaries. Branches have already begun enforcing the no-pay-no-work policy,” he declared. This move has led to a suspension of classes in many federal universities across the country.

The crisis has now extended beyond ASUU, as non-academic unions have joined in condemning the government’s failure to pay workers. Mohammed Ibrahim, president of the Joint Action Committee for SSANU and NASU, expressed his outrage, saying, “University workers are simply treated like second-class citizens.” According to him, letters have been sent to the Office of the Accountant General, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Labour, but no explanation or action has followed.

“The Labour Ministry told us they contacted the Education Minister, but nothing has changed. Workers are losing patience,” Ibrahim said. He also revealed that some university branches have yet to receive payments for two consecutive months.

ASUU’s stance is further underscored by alarming statistics: the union claims 84 lecturers have died under strenuous financial conditions in recent years. The latest action reflects a sector pushed to the brink by what many see as the government’s indifference.

As tension mounts, all eyes are now on the federal government to respond decisively to avoid a total collapse of Nigeria’s already fragile university education system.