ASUU NSUK Issues Fresh Strike Warning Over Unpaid Arrears, Demands Salary Review

Tension is building once again in Nigeria’s university system as the Academic Staff Union of Universities at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) warns that unresolved welfare issues could trigger a fresh industrial action if the state government fails to act.

The warning was issued on Thursday by the branch chairperson of Academic Staff Union of Universities, Abdulmumini Loko, who said prolonged delays in addressing lecturers’ welfare concerns were pushing members toward the edge.

Loko stressed that repeated engagements with the Nasarawa State Government have yielded little progress, despite multiple agreements on key financial obligations owed to academic staff.

At the heart of the dispute are outstanding arrears and salary-related adjustments, including the implementation of a 40 per cent wage increase earlier agreed at the federal level, alongside unpaid allowances and salary increments dating back several months.

The union also listed several unresolved payments, including Earned Academic Allowance, outstanding 25 and 35 per cent salary increments, and arrears linked to the new minimum wage structure and wage award adjustments.

Beyond salary issues, ASUU is also demanding structural reforms such as proper funding for the university system, domestication of the contributory pension scheme, timely remittance of government counterpart funding, and enforcement of retirement policies for professors.

Loko warned that continued neglect of these demands could destabilise academic activities, worsen staff morale, and accelerate brain drain within the institution.

He cautioned that the consequences would not be limited to staff welfare alone but could also undermine the quality of education and academic stability at Nasarawa State University Keffi.

While reaffirming the union’s willingness to engage in dialogue, he made it clear that patience among members was wearing thin and could no longer be taken for granted.

“Industrial harmony cannot be assured if the Nasarawa State Government fails to urgently clear all outstanding arrears and respond to our demands,” Loko warned, adding that further delays could leave the union with no option but to consider lawful industrial action.