The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a four-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to commence the implementation of a newly approved salary structure for university lecturers, raising concerns over a potential disruption in Nigeria’s higher education system.

ASUU National President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, made the declaration on Thursday during a public lecture held at Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli Campus, in Bauchi State. He warned that failure to act within the stipulated timeframe would trigger a strong response from the union.

“We have issued a four-day ultimatum from today to the Federal Government to begin the payment of the newly approved salary structure. Failure to comply will attract a strong response from the union,” Piwuna stated.

He emphasized that the demand is not new but part of long-standing agreements between ASUU and the government that have suffered repeated delays. According to him, the welfare of lecturers has reached a critical point and requires urgent attention.

Piwuna linked the persistent delay in improving lecturers’ remuneration to the increasing wave of brain drain in Nigeria’s university system. He noted that many experienced academics are leaving the country in search of better working conditions abroad, a development he warned is undermining the quality of tertiary education.

The ASUU president also decried what he described as a pattern of unfulfilled promises by successive governments, noting that several agreements have either been partially implemented or completely abandoned.

While acknowledging the union’s patience over the years, Piwuna signaled that ASUU may be compelled to take decisive action if the government fails to meet its demands within the deadline.

ASUU has a long history of industrial actions, with previous nationwide strikes leading to prolonged closures of public universities and disrupting the academic calendar for millions of students.

With the ultimatum now in effect, attention shifts to the Federal Government’s response, as stakeholders hope for a resolution that will avert another potential crisis in the education sector.