The Federal Government has officially responded to swirling reports, clarifying that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is not currently on strike. Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, shared this assurance in a clear, direct statement to the press in Abuja today.
“It is not by coincidence that Nigerian public tertiary institutions have remained open and stable for the past two years—something that has not happened in several decades,” Minister Alausa said, emphasising that continued dialogue, mutual respect, and a phased approach to addressing staff welfare under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda have helped sustain academic calendars.
Dr. Alausa’s remarks counter recent headlines that suggested ASUU had gone on strike over unpaid June salaries. Instead, he offered reassurance:
- The government’s phased interventions have prevented campus shutdowns.
- The ongoing welfare improvement strategies remain on track.
- “Our children are the heartbeat of the nation, and their uninterrupted education is non-negotiable,” he stated.
He urged universities, parents, students, and media outlets to disregard any false narratives suggesting otherwise.
Table of Contents
What’s Fueling the Confusion?
Despite this reassurance, it’s true that ASUU branches at institutions like the University of Jos and the University of Abuja halted activities—a result of unpaid June salaries and the reactivation of their “no pay, no work” policy. This has led to pockets of academic disruption, but these remain isolated cases, not a coordinated national strike.
Key distinctions:
- Government stance: ASUU is not on a nationwide strike; dialogue and interventions continue.
- Union stance: Where salaries are unpaid, branches pause work as per policy, but this is not a blanket action.
ASUU’s Position: Salary Delays & “No Pay, No Work” Policy
The President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, affirmed the union’s ongoing readiness to enforce “no pay, no work.” He emphasised that the union has not launched an indefinite strike, but will continue activity suspension in institutions still awaiting the June or July salary disbursement.
- Some universities (like Abuja and Jos) have resumed as soon as delayed salaries were released.
- Others are yet to see payments and thus remain in partial suspension.
Prof. Piwuna cited lingering issues with the transition from IPPIS to GIFMIS and accused the Office of the Accountant‑General of deliberate payment delays.
How Students & Institutions Are Responding
- University of Jos and University of Abuja initially suspended lectures under the “no pay, no work” rule, but classes have since resumed in areas where payments were sorted out.
- In states like Bauchi, the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) chapter, after joining the partial work withdrawal, has resumed once salaries were paid.
- The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to ASUU to consider student impact and maintain academic calendar integrity.
Government Measures & Commitment
The Federal Government’s proactive approach includes:
- Staged payouts: Salaries and allowances are being released in phases.
- Engagements: Ongoing meetings with ASUU leadership to address underlying issues.
- Communication clarity: Ensuring disinformation doesn’t disrupt public confidence.
Dr. Alausa emphasised that while there are complaint areas, particularly salary timeliness, the dialogue remains open, and outright strike is not the current state.
Looking Ahead
- Further monitoring: Salaries for each branch are being tracked; university activities will resume as payments clear.
- Actions if delayed: ASUU may enforce further “no pay, no work” steps, but a nationwide strike remains off the table.
- Government promises: Continued phased payments, further stakeholder engagement, and safeguards to protect academic stability.
What You Should Know Right Now
| Point | Status |
|---|---|
| ASUU nationwide strike | Not underway |
| Localized suspensions | Yes, pending payments |
| Dialogue & resolution | Ongoing |
| Education stability | Maintained nationally |
Conclusion
While salary delays have triggered temporary work stoppages in some institutions, the Federal Government and ASUU both confirm there is no nationwide strike ongoing as of today, July 9, 2025. A blend of targeted union action and government intervention has allowed academic routines to largely continue, protecting the academic calendar.
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