The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) branch, embarked on an indefinite strike on Thursday, September 12, 2025, citing the non-payment of salaries as the primary reason for the industrial action. This decision, communicated through a formal letter addressed to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olubunmi Shittu, aligns with a national directive issued by the ASUU National Executive Council (NEC). The directive stipulates that any branch experiencing salary delays beyond the third day of the month should commence strike action until the outstanding salaries are disbursed. The FUOYE branch, adhering to this directive, initiated a “total, indefinite, and comprehensive” strike, emphasizing the severity and unwavering nature of their action.
The genesis of this strike lies in the long-standing friction between ASUU and the Federal Government over salary payment timelines. ASUU has consistently maintained its “No Pay, No Work” stance, demanding that salaries be paid by the third of each month. This principled position underscores the union’s commitment to ensuring the timely and consistent remuneration of its members. The failure of several universities, including FUOYE, to meet this deadline has triggered a wave of industrial actions across the country, highlighting the systemic nature of the salary payment issue within the Nigerian university system. The recurring nature of these strikes underscores the deep-rooted challenges in the funding and management of university finances, leading to repeated disruptions in academic activities.
This recent strike action at FUOYE is not an isolated incident. Other university branches have faced similar challenges, demonstrating a pattern of delayed salary payments across Nigerian universities. The University of Jos, for instance, experienced a campus shutdown in July 2025 due to the non-payment of June salaries. Similarly, the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi witnessed service withdrawal by its lecturers owing to consistent delays in salary disbursement, often extending well into the following month. These instances illustrate a broader problem within the university system, where salary payments are frequently delayed, impacting the livelihoods of academic staff and disrupting the academic calendar.
The repeated occurrence of these strikes reveals a systemic issue within the Nigerian university system concerning the timely and consistent disbursement of salaries to academic staff. The “No Pay, No Work” resolution adopted by ASUU reflects the union’s firm stance on this matter, emphasizing the importance of adhering to agreed-upon payment schedules. The disruptions caused by these strikes have far-reaching consequences, affecting students, academic staff, and the overall quality of education. The continuous cycle of strikes underscores the need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to address the underlying financial challenges plaguing the university system.
Despite the ongoing strike actions and the concerns raised by ASUU, the Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has offered assurances that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring the continuity of education for Nigerian children. While acknowledging the potential for further disruptions due to ASUU’s stance, the Minister’s statement seeks to allay fears of prolonged school closures. However, the recurring nature of these strikes suggests a disconnect between the government’s assurances and the on-the-ground realities faced by university staff, highlighting the need for concrete action to address the root causes of the salary payment delays.
The ongoing strike at FUOYE and similar actions at other universities underscore the urgency of finding a lasting solution to the recurring issue of salary delays. The “No Pay, No Work” policy adopted by ASUU reflects the union’s determination to ensure that its members are paid on time and in full. While the government has expressed its commitment to maintaining educational continuity, the frequency of these strikes suggests that more decisive action is needed to address the systemic financial challenges facing Nigerian universities. A sustainable solution requires a comprehensive approach that involves improved funding mechanisms, transparent financial management, and open communication between the government, university administrations, and ASUU to prevent further disruptions to the academic calendar and ensure the stability of the university system.
