By Peter Omopo
Union says two-week ultimatum still stands, demands payment of withheld salaries and arrears – The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos branch, has accused the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Maruf Alausa, of misleading Nigerians over the Federal Government’s implementation of agreements with university workers, warning that it may resume its suspended strike if lingering issues are not resolved within the next two weeks.
In a statement signed by the branch chairperson, Prof. Jurbe Joseph Molwus, the union criticised what it described as “misleading statements” from the minister, insisting that the government has made little or no progress on its promises since ASUU issued a four-week ultimatum on October 22, 2025.
According to the statement, “Two weeks after our ultimatum, not much progress has been recorded. University staff are yet to receive their withheld salaries, wage award arrears, promotion arrears, and other entitlements. What we need are credit alerts, not misleading statements.”
ASUU expressed frustration that key financial commitments—including the 3.5 months of withheld salaries and the 25/35 per cent wage award arrears—remain unpaid. It also faulted the government’s claim that it had released ₦50 billion in revitalisation funds, stating that no university had received any disbursement.
Responding to the minister’s recent statement that ₦2.3 billion had been released to clear salary and promotion arrears across federal universities, the union dismissed the claim as “false and embarrassing,” arguing that the amount “could barely cover the needs of three universities.”
“The minister’s claim of clearing the backlog exists only in his imagination,” ASUU said. “₦2.3 billion is grossly inadequate and almost insulting. He must state clearly what fraction of the outstanding entitlements this money is meant to cover and for whom.”
The union further accused Dr. Alausa of making “inconsistent and contradictory statements” and urged him to engage in sincere dialogue rather than issuing “empty rhetoric.”
“It is high time the Honourable Minister of Education realised that only genuine engagement beyond words can settle ASUU’s demands,” the statement read. “Palliatives do not cure diseases; perhaps he should learn from his counterpart in the Ministry of Health.”
ASUU also expressed disappointment in the Minister of State for Education, noting that, as a product of the university system, she should show better understanding and empathy toward the union’s concerns.
The union urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate genuine commitment to resolving the crisis in the tertiary education sector by appointing a minister “who truly understands the complexities of higher education.”
“If President Tinubu truly desires to make history by ending the long-standing dispute with university unions, he needs to appoint someone who understands the issues bedevilling higher education,” ASUU said.
ASUU called on students, parents, and the general public to urge the government to act swiftly, warning that the four-week ultimatum would expire on November 21, 2025.
“The strike was only suspended as a mark of respect and goodwill in collective bargaining,” Prof. Molwus stated. “We expect the government to reciprocate by addressing our demands satisfactorily without further delay.”
