The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a four-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement a newly renegotiated salary structure, threatening a nationwide strike if payments do not commence by early next week.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially handed a four-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate commencement of payments under the newly approved salary structure for university lecturers. ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, announced the deadline on Thursday, March 26, 2026, while addressing members during a public lecture at Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchi State. Piwuna emphasized that the countdown begins immediately, warning that the union would take a “strong response”—widely interpreted as a nationwide strike—should the government fail to honor the agreement by the close of the month.
The current standoff follows a landmark renegotiated agreement signed in January 2026, which was intended to end a 16-year stalemate regarding the 2009 FG-ASUU pact. Under the new framework, academic staff were promised a 40% increase in remuneration, comprised of a revised basic salary and a Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA). Although the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had previously claimed that implementation began in February, ASUU contends that many federal institutions are yet to reflect the changes, with some lecturers still awaiting their January and February wages due to alleged “budgetary bottlenecks” and transition issues with the government’s financial management systems.
Beyond the immediate wage dispute, the ASUU leadership also utilized the Bauchi forum to voice stiff opposition to the government’s plan to establish a branch of Coventry University in Nigeria. Piwuna described the move as a form of “educational colonialism” that threatens to undermine the relevance of indigenous institutions. “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,” Piwuna stated. With the 2026 national budget processes still facing scrutiny, the union’s ultimatum places significant pressure on the administration to avert a total collapse of the public university system.
ASUU Salary Implementation Tracker (March 2026)
| Metric | Details |
| New Salary Increase | 40% (Consolidated Academic Allowance) |
| Effective Date | January 1, 2026 |
| Ultimatum Date | Starts Thursday, March 26; Ends Monday, March 30 |
| Primary Grievance | Non-payment and inconsistent implementation across universities |
| Union Response | Potential nationwide indefinite strike |
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