JUST IN: UniAbuja ASUU Joins nationwide protest over unpaid salaries, arrears

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The University of Abuja chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday joined the nationwide protest demanding the immediate payment of withheld salaries, outstanding arrears, and the implementation of a renegotiated agreement that has remained pending for years.

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Speaking during the protest, Dr. Sylvanus Ugoh, Chairman of ASUU UniAbuja, said the demonstration was to alert both the federal government and the public to the deepening hardship faced by lecturers.

“Since 2009, lecturers have remained on the same salary structure despite promises of periodic reviews every three years,” Ugoh explained. “The 2009 agreement, which should have been renegotiated in 2012, was only revisited in 2017 and finally concluded in February 2025 under the Elijah Yayale Ahmed-led committee, yet it has still not been implemented.”

According to him, the situation has left many lecturers unable to cope. “Since that report was submitted, nothing has been done. Today, it is becoming increasingly difficult for our members to survive. Across the nation, we hear of the deaths of academic staff, many of which are stress-related,” he lamented.

Ugoh outlined the outstanding debts owed to lecturers. “The government currently owes three and a half months’ salaries, a full year’s arrears of the 25 and 35 per cent wage awards, and over five years of unpaid promotion arrears,” he said.

He also accused the government of failing to remit third-party deductions meant for staff cooperatives and unions. “It is not a favour we seek. We worked for these salaries. Pay us our arrears, implement the renegotiation report, and release our promotion arrears. The government boasts there’s no strike under them, but the reality is that we have only been patient,” he stressed.

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The ASUU chairman condemned proposals suggesting that loans be offered to lecturers while their legitimate entitlements remain unpaid. “Such proposals are insensitive. The continued neglect of lecturers’ welfare is worsening brain drain, eroding the quality of education, and undermining national development,” Ugoh argued.

He further emphasised the role of universities in national growth. “No nation develops beyond the strength of its universities. If the government is serious about Nigeria’s progress, it must first strengthen the university system. Let us halt this brain drain and rescue our universities,” he said.

The protest saw lecturers carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs as they urged the federal government to prioritise university revitalisation, honour agreements, and uphold institutional autonomy

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